A Year of New Rules: The Ukrainian Lobbying Association and the NACP Review the First Year of Legal Lobbying in Ukraine

A Year of New Rules: The Ukrainian Lobbying Association and the NACP Review the First Year of Legal Lobbying in Ukraine

On September 1, 2026, a landmark event took place in Kyiv – a panel discussion titled "Lobbying in Ukraine: First Outcomes and Future Prospects," organized by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) in cooperation with the Council of Europe. Representatives of the Ukrainian Lobbying Association (ULA) attended the event to engage in an open discussion on how the new legislation operates in practice.

The meeting, held on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Law "On Lobbying," served as a platform for an honest dialogue between the state, the business community, and international partners.

Perspectives from the state and international institutions were shared by Viktor Pavlushchyk, Head of the NACP, Denys Maslov, Minister of Justice of Ukraine, as well as experts from the Council of Europe and the OECD, who assist Ukraine in implementing world-class transparency standards.

Direct market participants – registered lobbyists and leaders of the country's largest business associations – also shared their practical experience of operating within the new regulatory framework.

How the Ukrainian Lobbying Association Evaluates This Past Year

According to Anna Lachykhina, Chair of the Board of the Association, the key achievement of the law’s first year in effect is the gradual dismantling of outdated societal stereotypes regarding interaction with government authorities.

"The first year of the law's operation has proven that open expertise is finally overcoming shadow schemes and backroom deals in Ukraine. Companies that choose honest, legal advancement of their interests not only benefit themselves but also drive change across the entire country. While much work remains to be done in aligning with international standards, transparency and integrity in relations between business, society, and the state are already becoming the new norm," notes Anna Lachykhina.

What Lies Ahead?

The law is operational, and the Transparency Register is steadily expanding; however, the establishment of a civilized market is only just beginning. Throughout this process, the Ukrainian Lobbying Association continues to play a practical role in developing the industry. The Association assists businesses in adapting to new requirements, clarifies the rules of the game, and collaborates with the NACP, the expert community, and other stakeholders to further refine the legal framework.

We remain convinced that transparent, clear, and ethical lobbying is not merely a requirement of our European partners – it is a hallmark of a mature democracy and a strong economy that we are building together.