“The voice of the Parliament is returning”: Verkhovna Rada resumes online broadcasting of meetings
4 September 17:27
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted Resolution 13719, which officially restores live broadcasts of parliamentary plenary sessions. The resolution was voted in favor by 266 MPs. According to MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak of the Voice faction, the broadcasts will start in mid-September, [Komersant] reports.
This decision was a response to numerous appeals from civil society organizations, journalists, and international partners who called for the return of openness to the work of the Ukrainian parliament.
Why it is important
The resumption of broadcasts has several key goals:
- Increasing the transparency and accountability of the Verkhovna Rada;
- Strengthening public confidence in the legislative process;
- Implementation of international recommendations on democratic oversight.
In addition to the plenary sessions, Rada TV channel will again broadcast official speeches by the parliamentary leadership, briefings by MPs and other public events.
History of suspension
Live broadcasts of the Verkhovna Rada sessions were suspended with the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. For security reasons, journalists’ access to the parliament building was also restricted, and they were allowed back in May 2024.
In January 2025, broadcasts were partially resumed, including meetings of parliamentary committees. However, plenary sessions remained unavailable for public viewing.
Public pressure
on July 28, 2025, a number of media and civil society organizations appealed to the Parliament to return online broadcasts and ensure that the agenda was published in advance. On July 29, Resolution No. 1963027 was registered, which provided for the return of the open format of the Rada’s work.
At the time, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said that the parliament would again become an open platform for society as soon as “the security situation is no longer present.”
The first signal
For the first time after a long break, the plenary session was broadcast on July 31, the day of the vote to restore the independence of the SAPO and NABU. This step was a symbolic beginning of a new stage of openness in the Ukrainian parliament.
