Legal harmonisation of Ukraine with European Union law: institutional and normative analysis of the implementation of 33 chapters of the acquis communautaire

Abstract

In the context of Ukraine obtaining candidate status for membership in the European Union, the legal harmonisation of national legislation with the acquis communautaire has become particularly relevant. Given the institutional challenges, martial law, and complex geopolitical conditions, a comprehensive analysis of Ukraine’s progress in fulfilling its legal obligations within the framework of European integration is essential. Special attention is paid to both normative reforms and the actual steps toward legal implementation of EU standards across all 33 technical chapters of the acquis.

The purpose of the article is to conduct a systemic institutional and normative analysis of Ukraine’s implementation of the acquis communautaire based on the European Commission’s reports for 2023 and 2024, with a focus on legal adaptation mechanisms, institutional transformations, and the substantive dimension of legal approximation to EU law.

The research uses a comparative legal method, which made it possible to compare the state of acquis implementation over two consecutive periods. In addition, a normative-analytical approach was applied to assess the content of legislative changes in Ukraine and their compliance with the core requirements of EU law. The novelty of the study lies in its integrated legal analysis not only of the content of national reforms but also of the dynamics of institutional capacity-building for acquis implementation.

The study found that the most significant progress was achieved in the fields of public procurement, energy, competition, justice, customs policy, and common security policy. In many cases, the implementation of EU law has taken place not only at the legislative level but also through subordinate regulations, administrative instructions, and the establishment of specialised bodies. Meanwhile, such areas as the free movement of workers and capital, and regional policy demonstrate slower harmonisation due to legal and institutional barriers. The analysis confirms that Ukraine has transitioned from political declarations to the legally binding adaptation of the acquis, enhancing its readiness for accession negotiations.

In conclusion, the article argues that the success of Ukraine’s further legal approximation to the EU depends significantly on its ability to ensure sustainable implementation, effective institutional oversight, and the development of administrative and judicial review mechanisms. It is proposed that legal harmonisation be viewed not merely as a formal accession requirement but as a tool for deep transformation of public governance, rule of law, and the legal state in Ukraine.