Transparency is postponed: MPs did not support broadcasting of plenary sessions
31 July 2025 19:02
ANALYSIS FROM 
on July 31, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine did not support the proposal to resume online broadcasts of its plenary sessions. During the voting, the initiative received only 200 votes from MPs, which was not enough to pass the resolution.
MP Oleksiy Honcharenko announced the failure of the vote on his Telegram channel.
Ruslan Stefanchuk put the issue of broadcasts to the floor. There were 200 votes in favor. The decision has not been made,” he said.
It is worth noting that on the same day, for the first time since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the parliament held a partial online broadcast of its session. This step was a response to numerous appeals from civil society organizations, media, and human rights activists who called for the restoration of openness in the work of the Verkhovna Rada. This was especially true during the discussion of important anti-corruption draft laws, in particular, on the powers of the NABU and the SAPO.
MP Yaroslav Yurchyshyn welcomed the partial return of publicity, but emphasized that it was not enough:
“Finally, our demand has been heard and partially realized. I congratulate everyone who made the effort. I urge you to join the viewing from 12:00 – control the work of the Parliament! I hope this is only the first step. Together with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, we are looking for a further solution,” the MP said.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
Resumption of online broadcasts from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
With the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stopped broadcasting its plenary sessions live. Journalists’ access to the parliamentary building was also restricted. For a long time, the parliament worked behind closed doors for security reasons.
Only in May 2024, journalists were again given the opportunity to work directly in the Verkhovna Rada. This was the first step toward partially restoring the legislature’s openness to the public.
In January 2025, the Verkhovna Rada resumed broadcasting meetings of parliamentary committees. However, the plenary sessions themselves still remain closed for online viewing.
A call from the public
on July 28, 2025, leading media and civil society organizations made a public appeal to the Parliament to resume online broadcasts of plenary sessions on the Rada TV channel and to publish the agenda in advance. The initiative was supported by nearly a hundred organizations and media representatives.
on July 29, the Verkhovna Rada registered draft resolution No. 1963027. The document provides for the official return of live broadcasts of parliamentary sessions. However, they will become fully open only when “security risks disappear,” as noted by the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk.
Author – Daryna Glushchenko
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
