Ukraine’s Constitutional Court Strengthens Ties with European Institutions

Ukraine’s Constitutional Court Deepens Professional Dialogue with European Bodies

According to Конституційний суд: From June 16 to 18, 2026, a delegation from the Constitutional Court of Ukraine held working meetings with representatives of the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Venice Commission as part of the Council of Europe project 'Further Support for Constitutional Justice Reform in Ukraine.' The discussions covered the advancement of constitutional justice, the rule of law, European human rights protection standards, the quality of judicial reasoning, and digital technologies.

The delegation included the following judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine:

• Viktor Horodovenko (head of the delegation)
• Yuriy Barabash
• Viktor Kychun
• Alla Oliinyk
• Oleh Pervomaiskyi
• Petro Filiuk
• Halyna Yurovska

Support staff for the judges also participated in these meetings. The delegation met with Giovanni Battista Celiento, head of the Human Rights Directorate’s division at the Council of Europe, as well as Mariana Kiku, head of a sector within the same directorate.

Other key meetings included a discussion with Khrystyna Fedunyshyn, a lawyer in the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and a meeting with Gianluca Esposito, Director General for Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe. The delegation also exchanged views with the Venice Commission’s Secretariat, with legal advisors:

• Martina Silvestri
• Octavian Sofransky
• Mamaluka Longurashvili

Discussions and Seminar

During the meetings, the parties reviewed the latest Venice Commission opinions on Ukraine and the updated Rule of Law Checklist. The delegation also attended a seminar featuring British barrister Jeremy McBride from Monckton Chambers. A notable event was the project’s Steering Committee meeting, which included project coordinator Octavian Sofransky, project manager Susanna Mnatsakanyan, Giovanni Battista Celiento, and Mariana Kiku.

Additionally, the judges met with European Court of Human Rights President Mattias Guyomar, as well as ECHR judges Mykola Gnatovsky and Arturs Kučs. The delegation also held talks with the ECHR Secretariat, where Claudius Ringelewicz, director of the Filtering Department, and Gail Mitchell, head of the Information Systems Division, were present. These engagements highlight Ukraine’s efforts to improve constitutional justice and align it with European standards.

The meetings between the Constitutional Court of Ukraine’s delegation and European institutions underscore the importance of cooperation between Ukraine and international organizations in the fields of human rights and constitutional justice. They facilitate not only the exchange of expertise but also the harmonization of standards, which can positively influence the country’s legal system. In the context of ongoing reforms in Ukraine, such international support may be a key factor in strengthening the rule of law and protecting human rights.

In light of the ongoing discussions about the advancement of constitutional justice in Ukraine, it is essential to consider the perspectives shared by judges from both the Constitutional and Supreme Courts. Their recent dialogue highlighted the importance of a cohesive legal framework, which is crucial for ensuring consistent legal application across the country. For further insights on this significant topic, you can read more about the judges' discussions on the need for a unified approach to legal interpretation here.