On July 8, 2025, Razumkov Centre took part in the international online round table "EU Enlargement and Ukraine's Progress in the Cluster on Fundamentals: Political and Legal Challenges for the Judiciary, Fundamental Rights and Functioning of Democratic Institutions under Martial Law".
The event was held within the framework of the project "EU Enlargement and the Rule of Law in Ukraine: Political and Legal Challenges for the Judiciary and Fundamental Rights under Martial Law", implemented by the Maastricht University and partners. The event was attended by scholars and experts from the leading European and Ukrainian universities and think-tanks, representatives of governmental structures of the EU and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
As part of the project, the Centre's experts drew up an analytical report "Political and Legal Challenges for Ukraine in the Conditions of Martial Law Regarding the Implementation of the Provisions of Cluster 1 "Fundamentals", and especially Chapter 23 of the Framework Agreement on the Association between Ukraine and the EU", which was presented at the round table.
The document emphasizes the urgent need to continue political and legal reforms during negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, which was seriously complicated by the Russian armed aggression and subsequent introduction of martial law. This has created special conditions for the functioning of democratic institutions and the state authorities and activated legislatively provided restrictions of a number of civil rights and freedoms.
The material presented by the Centre's experts brought about a lively discussion. All participants have agreed that Ukraine is demonstrating significant progress, despite the war, but reforms, especially in the field of justice, protection of social rights, etc. are not over. There is an urgent need for advanced preparation for full resumption of the activity of democratic institutions after the end of the war. For further progress of the European integration, systemic efforts are needed, especially in the field of lawmaking, coordination of actions of Ukrainian and European partners, transparency of measures taken by the authorities and an active role of civil society.
