Where are the reforms? Civil society presented its assessment of progress on the path to the EU

15% out of 100%. This is the stage at which real progress stands in implementing the list of 10 key reforms required for Ukraine’s European integration. This is despite the fact that their “deadline” is only 3 months away. And all of this is happening against the backdrop of high-profile corruption cases emerging one after another and constant pressure on the anti-corruption system.

On 23 September, the DEJURE Foundation, the Anti-Corruption Action Centre, Automaidan, the MEZHA Anti-Corruption Centre, the Institute of Mass Information, the Media Initiative for Human Rights and the Charitable Organisation “100% Life” presented a report on the state of reforms in the areas of justice, the fight against corruption and fundamental rights.

Reforms are moving too slowly given the number of risks accumulating around them. One of the most telling examples is Operation Midas, in the course of which NABU and SAPO exposed a large-scale corruption scheme involving Energoatom.

At the same time, the anti-corruption system itself is under constant attack. The independence of key institutions requires continuous monitoring. This includes the selection of the head of SAPO in 2027, when there will undoubtedly be attempts to establish political control.

Separately, in the Report, civil society highlights the problem of pressure from unreformed law enforcement agencies. In particular, this stems from the politicisation of the Office of the Prosecutor General, the SBI and the SBU, which remain a serious threat to the independence of anti-corruption bodies, civil society and investigative journalists.

Judicial reform also remains vulnerable, and changes are moving too slowly. Around 1,200 judges still have to undergo or complete qualification evaluation, while court decisions allow already dismissed judges to return to their positions. The clean-up and renewal of the Supreme Court have effectively come to a halt, and 5 of the 18 positions at the Constitutional Court remain vacant.

Such slow progress in reforms is a clear marker of the absence of political will. If Ukraine wants to move towards the EU, it needs real change, not an imitation of it.

The Report was prepared with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands within the framework of the MATRA Programme. Its content reflects the position of the authors and does not necessarily coincide with the official position of the Embassy.