Ukraine continues legal withdrawal from the CIS: president signs decree
27 January 09:37
Ukraine has officially terminated its participation in one of the basic agreements signed within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which concerned the protection of state borders and maritime economic zones.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Presidential Decree No. 82/2026 of January 26, 2026.
Decision to withdraw from the CIS agreement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the country’s withdrawal from the Agreement on the Protection of State Borders and Maritime Economic Zones of the CIS Member States.
The document was signed on March 20, 1992, in Kyiv, and it regulated issues of cooperation between the Commonwealth countries in the field of border and maritime security.
The relevant decision is enshrined in Decree No. 82/2026 of January 26, 2026. The document emphasizes the legal basis for Ukraine’s withdrawal from the international agreement.
Legal justification
The text of the decree states:
“In accordance with paragraph 3 of part one of Article 106 of the Constitution of Ukraine, guided by Article 24 of the Law of Ukraine “On International Treaties of Ukraine” and Article 56 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, I hereby decree: to withdraw from the Agreement on the Protection of State Borders and Maritime Economic Zones of the Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States, signed on March 20, 1992, in Kyiv.”
Next steps
According to the document, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is instructed to officially notify the depositary of the agreement of the decision and complete the international formalities provided for by the procedure.
Context and background
The withdrawal from the agreement was part of Ukraine’s consistent policy of terminating its participation in agreements within the CIS. In June 2022, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a number of government bills on Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth agreements.
Later, on June 14, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a bill on withdrawal from the agreement with the Russian Federation on priority measures to protect victims of armed conflicts in connection with Russia’s violation of international humanitarian law.
