Just a few years ago, the very word "lobbying" in the Ukrainian context evoked associations with shadow deals and corruption schemes. However, as of September 1, 2025, the situation has changed radically. The law "On Lobbying," which came into force, transformed this activity from a "gray" zone into a transparent institution required to operate under clear rules. This became part of Ukraine's fulfillment of its obligations to the European Union and a step towards civilized dialogue between entrepreneurs and the state.
From Backrooms to an Open Registry
The essence of the new law is simple: lobbying is now a legal activity aimed at influencing state decision-making in the interests of business for remuneration. Lobbyists act as translators, transforming the language of commercial interests into the language of state decisions. The key tool for control has become the Transparency Registry, administered by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP).
As of August 2026, 202 subjects are already registered in the Registry. Among them are international corporations, banks, large retailers, industry associations, and specialized GR teams. For businesses, registration in the registry has become not just a legal necessity but also an element of reputation strategy, allowing them to openly influence the government.
Who and Why Uses the New Rules
The most active users of the lobbying institution have become sectors whose work depends directly on the regulatory environment. Priority areas represented in the registry include:
- Economic policy;
- Protection of property rights;
- The IT sector;
- Transport and infrastructure;
- The agricultural sector.
Opinions of Market Leaders
Large businesses have welcomed the reform as a long-awaited opportunity to move away from outdated practices. Elena Plakhova, Director of Communications and Government Relations at Kernel, noted that the appearance of an official platform shifts relationships into the realm of open exchange of experience. According to her, the leadership of farmers in the registry is natural, as the agro-industrial complex is a driver of the economy, and the new rules eliminate artificial bias in dialogue with the government.
The pharmaceutical company Farmak also appreciated lobbying coming out of the shadows. Yevheniia Poddubna, Director of Corporate Communications, emphasized that the law does not guarantee the complete disappearance of corruption but adds transparency and accountability to the system.
For the EVA retail chain, the predictability of lawmaking became a matter of survival. Serhiy Kovtun, Deputy Director of the Legal Department, explained that the law shifts business participation from a "reaction to fact" mode to a "constant presence" mode. Now, the retail position has official status, which fundamentally changes the nature of relations with regulators.
Similar expectations are expressed in the tobacco industry. Yevhen Ocheretko from Philip Morris Ukraine noted that the law creates clear rules of the game, allowing business to legally convey its position and society to see who and on what issues participates in decision-making.
