Appointment of Denis Kovalenko as Judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court
President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Denis Kovalenko as a judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court. This appointment, which took place in accordance with presidential decree No. 843/2026 dated August 31, is part of the implementation of conditions related to obtaining funding from the European Union under the Ukraine Facility program. It is noteworthy that fulfilling the relevant commitments within this program opens the opportunity to receive from the EU between 250 and 300 million euros.
This appointment took place after the president had already appointed 11 judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court and five judges of its Appeals Chamber on August 21. Ukraine must implement 25 reforms and steps to receive over 10 billion euros in budget support under the EU's 90 billion euro loan program and the Ukraine Facility mechanism. The updated 'Ukrainian Plan' under the Ukraine Facility has been fundamentally approved by EU state ambassadors, and final approval by the EU Council through written procedure is expected on July 30.
Financial Support and Reforms
Ukraine will be able to receive the first tranche of 2.86 billion euros after implementing seven reforms. An additional 7.5 billion euros may come in 2026 contingent upon the implementation of 18 additional reforms. Among these reforms are:
- appointment of independent supervisory boards for state enterprises,
- introduction of an updated IT system for enforcing court rulings,
- investments in education and healthcare,
- provision of housing for veterans with disabilities, families of fallen defenders, and internally displaced persons.
It is important to note that for the first time since 2022, President Zelensky has appointed more than 100 judges to positions.
The appointment of Denis Kovalenko underscores the efforts of the Ukrainian government to implement reforms necessary to obtain financial support from the EU. It also highlights the importance of anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine for ensuring transparency and stability in public administration. In the context of an economic crisis and war, support from international partners becomes particularly critical for the country.
As Ukraine moves forward with significant judicial reforms, the upcoming changes in law enforcement agencies are also on the horizon. These reforms are crucial for ensuring transparency and effectiveness within the justice system, which directly correlates with the country's ability to secure vital financial assistance from the EU. For further insights into the planned reforms and their expected impact by 2027, you can explore more in our detailed article on law enforcement reforms.