Ukraintegrity / Updates on Fundamental Reforms #2
- Dec 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Dear Ukraintegrity readers,
As the year comes to a close, we would like to share a selection of key developments from the past month that, in our view, help illustrate Ukraine’s progress in the fight against corruption. Together, they offer a clearer sense of where Ukraine stands as we approach 2026—and what priorities are likely to shape the year ahead.
On behalf of our team, I wish you peaceful holidays and a well-deserved chance to rest and recharge after an intense year. We look forward to staying connected and continuing the conversation with you in the year to come.
Sincerely,
Inna Nelles on behalf of the German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB) Team
HIGHLIGHTS
⚡️In November, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme in the energy sector involving approximately $100 million in bribes and kickbacks. Operation “Midas” became one of the most high-profile cases in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war and led to a series of dismissals, including Andriy Yermak, who stepped down as Head of President Zelenskyy’s Office. According to the head of NABU, even more suspicions are expected as part of “Midas.”
⚡️Ukraine has officially received the European Union’s negotiating position on three clusters, which will serve as the technical basis for further accession talks. It concerns three clusters: No. 1 ("Fundamentals" – democratic procedures, the rule of law, anti-corruption and so on), No. 2 (the largest cluster on "Internal market") and No. 6 ("External relations" – the cluster, where Ukraine hopes to achieve rapid success). Although the clusters will formally remain “not opened,” the accession negotiations have been technically unblocked, placing full responsibility for reform progress on Ukraine.
⚡️The European Commission’s 2025 Enlargement Report highlights that Ukraine’s progress against high-level corruption remains limited and proposes concrete steps to strengthen key anti-corruption institutions—NABU, SAPO, and the HACC — by improving pre-trial investigations, fair adjudication of corruption cases, and enforcement, underscoring that effective anti-corruption efforts are essential for deeper European integration.
Inside COSAC
DUB organized the German-Ukrainian expert meeting in Kyiv
Over 20 experts, including the representatives of the German Embassy in Ukraine, the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative, DGAP, GMF, met in Kyiv to discuss the state of the rule of law and progress in the fundamental reform cluster of Ukraine’s EU accession process. The meaningful progress in judicial reform, anti-corruption efforts, and the rule of law is essential for Ukraine’s future in the European Union, reaffirming Germany’s ongoing support.
A Window of Opportunity for Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Reforms
In early December, DUB led a transatlantic expert visit to Ukraine at a decisive political moment, just days after the resignation of President Zelenskyy’s chief of staff amid major corruption investigations. Through frank discussions with reformers, institutions, and civil society in Kyiv and Dnipro, the visit explored whether recent developments signal a real turning point—or merely symbolic change—in Ukraine’s fight against corruption as it moves toward EU accession.
Law Enforcement Reform as a Priority for 2026
In a recent expert discussion, Mezha highlighted the urgent need to prioritise law enforcement reform in Ukraine for 2026, focusing on strengthening institutional integrity and aligning with European standards. The event brought together representatives of the EU Delegation, EUAM, 10 foreign embassies, Members of the Ukrainian Parliament, foreign institutions and civil society experts.
This initiative is part of the Continuing Successful Anti-Corruption (COSAC) Reform Initiative, supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, which amplifies Ukraine’s voice in Europe and fosters dialogue between Ukrainian and EU institutions.
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