Verkhovna Rada takes a step towards €4bn financial support by adopting law on investigative agreements

The Verkhovna Rada supported the draft law on agreements with the investigation, passing it in the final reading. This document, which was voted for by 263 deputies, is designed to improve the procedure for the cooperation of suspects with the investigation.

Draft Law No. 12039 introduces a new norm, which provides for the possibility of reducing the term of imprisonment for the accused, if they cooperate with the investigation, revealing other participants in the crime and compensating for the damage caused. In addition, the court will be able to impose a fine as an additional punishment:

• For non-serious crimes – from 20 to 120 thousand non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens (NMDH);
• For serious crimes – from 120 thousand to 6 million NMDH;
• For particularly serious crimes – from 270,000 to 12 million NMDH.

In addition to fines, the draft law provides for the possibility of confiscation of property, if this is agreed upon in the framework of the agreement. At the same time, the innovations will not apply to organizers of criminal schemes, except when the organizer reveals another leader of a criminal group. The draft law received favorable reviews from the SAP and NABU, and also complies with Ukraine’s international obligations.

The document appeared after the scandal surrounding the previous draft law No. 11340, which was given a critical assessment due to the possibility of a “buy-off” for corrupt officials. The adoption of the new law was an important task for Ukraine in the third quarter of 2024, but the consideration of the document was delayed until October.

Given the requirements of the EU, the timely adoption of this law is a key factor in obtaining financial assistance of 4 billion euros by the end of 2024. The EU reported that in case of further delay, the payment may be postponed to 2025. After the adoption of the draft law, the deputies turned to President Volodymyr Zelenskyi with a request to urgently sign it.

This law also has an impact on the further receipt of 35 billion euros in loans from the EU. Ukrainian diplomats warned that failure to meet the deadlines could become a reason for criticism from European partners, which would make it difficult to reach an agreement on financial support for Ukraine.