The Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy opened the morning plenary meeting.

Statements were made by representatives of parliamentary groups and factions. Parliamentarians then switched over to considering national security and defence issues.


Laws and bills passed


More social protection for servicepersons

Draft bill No.6268-1

The parliament has passed the law of Ukraine “On amendments to certain laws of Ukraine relating to improving social protection for servicemen”.

The new law runs a one-off cash aid shall be paid out upon the death of an ex-serviceperson within a calendar year from the date of his/her discharge from service once the death resulted from wound, shell-shock (blast injury, contused wound), permanent or severe injury or disease related to performance of their military duty.         

On gender equality in the military

Draft bill No. 6109

The parliament has enacted legislation into law “On amendments to certain laws of Ukraine relating to ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men during their military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military forces/units”.

The newly taken alterations shall ensure for both genders equal opportunities when either contracting for the military or conducting military service, stipulating that female soldiers are entitled to sign military contracts until the very maximum age limits to enlist in the military service. The said parity is also thought to embrace access to appointments and military ranks as well as level and extend of responsibility while on duty.

The law also abolishes all limits for assigning female soldiers to daily details, as well as being seconded and/or exempted from military (troops) trainings.    

Novelties in flag-raising ceremony and official military salute

Draft bill No.9036

On the first reading, there has been approved by the parliament a draft bill introducing a new official salute in the military which is  now to be “Glory to Ukraine” responded with “Glory to the Heroes”,  and reorganizing Ukraine’s state flag-raising rite as well.

On illegal border-crossing

Draft bill No.7017

On the first reading, the parliament has adopted a draft bill “On amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine in respect of responsibility for illegal state border crossing”.

In particular, the code is to be supplemented with a new article no.331 imposing imprisonment up to three years for illegal state border crossing (treated broadly) perpetrated by a person having citizenship of an aggressor state or committed by another person in the behoof of an   aggressor state going against Ukraine’s national interests.

If repeated or offended in a gang, the very same act of crime shall be punished by three to five years in prison, whilst if done with the use of a weapon, so five to eight years in bonds shall be formalized. 

Ukraine-Poland defence co-op treaty

Draft bill No.0145

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has endorsed the law of Ukraine “On ratification of the Ukraine-Poland inter-governmental general agreement on defence cooperation”.

The treaty was signed by the governments on December 2, 2016 in Warsaw. In thirty days from the date when appropriate exchange of diplomatic notes is duly accomplished, stating that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically, the treaty shall come into force.

Ukraine-Romania treaty on military shipments

Draft bill No.0153

The Parliament of Ukraine has sanctioned the law of Ukraine “On ratification of the Ukraine-Romania inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in the sphere of military shipments”.

The treaty was signed by the governments on April 21, 2016 in Bucharest. At the date when appropriate exchange of diplomatic notes is duly accomplished, stating that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically, the treaty shall come into force.

Ukraine-Turkey treaty on mutual furtherance and protection of investments

Draft bill No. 0183

The parliament has created the law of Ukraine “On ratification of the Ukraine-Turkey inter-governmental agreement on mutual furtherance and protection of investments”.

The treaty was signed by the governments on October 9, 2017 in the City of Kyiv. At the date when appropriate exchange of diplomatic notes is duly accomplished, stating that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically, the treaty shall come into force.

Ukraine-Portugal treaty on economic cooperation

Draft bill No.0187

The Parliament of Ukraine has enacted the law of Ukraine “On ratification of the Ukraine-Portugal interstate agreement on economic cooperation”.

The treaty was executed on December 18, 2017 in Lisbon. In thirty days from the date when appropriate exchange of diplomatic notes is duly accomplished, stating that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically, the treaty shall become operative.

On introduction of a ‘single window’ system

Draft bill No. 7010

The parliament has legislated customs changes by passing the law of Ukraine “On amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine as to introduction of a single-window system and streamlining the control procedures when moving goods across Ukraine’s customs border”. Presidential proposals to the law have been factored into. The law was accepted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on July 5, 2018.

Supported by parliament there was a presidential proposal to remove articles 21 and 25 in Chapter II, granting state support to agricultural manufacturers through a partial refund of purchase costs of special wagons for grains transportation.

On forest preservation and preventing illicit export of raw wood

Draft bill No.5495

The parliament has passed the law of Ukraine “On amendments to certain laws of Ukraine pertaining forest preservation and prevention of illegal raw timber exports”.  Presidential proposals to the law have been factored into.

The law was accepted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on July 3, 2018.

By removing article 2 of Chapter II of the law, there will thus be launched a variety of protective measures aimed at preserving Ukrainian forests in concordance with Ukraine’s international commitments.  

Ukraine-Thailand trade treaty

Draft bill No.0170

The Parliament of Ukraine has enacted the law of Ukraine “On ratification of the Ukraine-Thailand inter-governmental trade agreement”.

The treaty was signed by the governments on June 5, 2017 in Bangkok.  

At the date when appropriate exchange of diplomatic notes is duly accomplished, stating that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically, the treaty shall come into force.

Ukraine-Switzerland readmission treaty

Draft bill No.0192

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted the law of Ukraine “On ratification of a readmission agreement between Ukraine and the Swiss Confederation”. The treaty was signed on June 7, 2017 in the City of Kyiv. On the first day of the second month from the date when appropriate exchange of diplomatic notes is duly accomplished, stating that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically, the treaty shall become operative.

Ukraine-Moldova readmission treaty

Draft bill No.0188

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has passed the law of Ukraine “On ratification of the Ukraine-Moldova inter-governmental agreement on readmission”. The treaty was signed on October 6, 2017 in the City of Kishinev (Chisinau).

In thirty calendar days from the date when appropriate exchange of diplomatic notes is duly accomplished, stating that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically, the treaty shall come into force.

Ukraine-Germany treaty on work activities of family members of representatives of diplomatic missions and consular offices

Draft bill No.0191

The Parliament of Ukraine has adopted the law of Ukraine “On ratification of the Ukraine-Germany inter-governmental agreement on work activities of family members of representatives of diplomatic missions and consular offices. The treaty was signed by the governments on January 3, 2018 in the City of Kyiv.

The treaty shall come into force on the date when the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine duly informs the German government that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically.

Ukraine-Switzerland treaty on gainful activity of persons accompanying representatives of diplomatic missions, consular offices and permanent missions of international organizations

Draft bill No.0182

The Parliament of Ukraine has enacted the law of Ukraine “On ratification of the agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Federal Council of the Swiss Confederation on gainful activity of persons accompanying representatives of diplomatic missions, consular offices and permanent missions of international organizations”. The treaty was signed on January 25, 2018 in Davos.

In thirty calendar days from the date when appropriate exchange of diplomatic notes is duly accomplished, stating that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically, the treaty shall come into force.

Ukraine-Portugal treaty on gainful activities of family members supported by diplomatic, administrative and technical personnel of diplomatic missions and consular offices

Draft bill No.0176

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has sanctioned the law of Ukraine “On ratification of the Ukraine-Portugal interstate agreement on gainful activities conducted by family members supported by diplomatic, administrative and technical personnel of diplomatic missions and consular offices”. The treaty was signed on July 10, 2017 in the City of Kyiv.

In thirty calendar days from the date when appropriate exchange of diplomatic notes is duly accomplished, stating that all the treaty procedures have been properly formalized domestically, the treaty shall come into effect.

Parlamentarians also considered a draft law "On ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents" No. 0195.The decision on the bill will be taken at the next meeting.


The presiding officer closed the morning session.




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