Following the Fifth High-Level Dialogue, which was attended by Members of the Ukrainian Parliament and facilitated by the Council of Europe, a Joint Statement was adopted. The key message is that local self-government reform needs to continue even under martial law, and the return to civilian governance needs to follow clear procedures.

On 1–2 April 2026, the Fifth Session of the High-Level Dialogue ‘Good Democratic Governance in Ukraine: Achievements, Challenges and the Way Forward in Post-War Period’ was held in Strasbourg. The event brought together 14 Members of the Ukrainian Parliament, representatives of the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, and the Venice Commission.

This resulted in a Joint Statement – a consolidated position on the further implementation of decentralisation reform, the transition from military to civilian governance, and the preparation of post-war elections in compliance with European standards.

As stated in the Joint Statement, the parties reached a ‘broad agreement’ on a number of issues of critical importance to communities. The Decentralisation portal has highlighted the key points.

КЛЮЧОВІ ТЕЗИ СПІЛЬНОЇ ЗАЯВИ

1. Balance of competences and resources – of priority importance

Excerpt from the Statement: ‘This progress concerns the balance of competences and resources, fair distribution of public assets.’

This is a direct reference to Article 9 of the European Charter of Local Self-Government – the financial resources of local authorities must be adequate to their powers. For communities, this means: no new responsibilities without additional revenue for local budgets.

2. Separate algorithms for frontline and de-occupied territories

Excerpt from the Statement: ‘The recovery of state power and local self-government in de-occupied and frontline territories, the transition from military to regular (civilian) local and regional governance, based on precise algorithms as for different functional types of territories and stages of their recovery/development.’

This is one of the most important provisions for communities currently in the so-called grey zone or awaiting de-occupation. The Statement recognises the need for tailored approaches depending on the type of territory. In other words, there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach – recovery requires a flexible model that communities can adapt to their own circumstances.

3. Long-term Action Plan – the next step, which is already under preparation

Excerpt from the Statement: ‘Underline the need to ensure the elaboration and execution of a dedicated long-term Action Plan for the reform implementation under martial law and in the post-war period.’

The conceptual framework for this already exists — on 12 December 2025, the Government adopted Resolution No. 1748, which set out the ‘Specifics of Reforming Local Self-Government and the Territorial Organisation of Power under Martial Law and in Preparation for Ukraine’s Accession to the European Union’. In other words, the vision for the direction of the reform (balance of powers and resources, algorithms for different types of territories, strengthening institutional capacity, and so on) has been established. Currently, as stated in the Joint Statement, the next step is required — the development of a clear Action Plan with deadlines, responsible parties, and resources. Based on the information obtained by the Portal, such a plan is currently under development by the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.

4. Local councils need to be ‘free to exercise their powers’

Excerpt from the Statement: ‘Recall that, in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government, local and regional authorities should be free to exercise their competences, as provided for by the Constitution of Ukraine and by the law.’

This is an important message in light of the discussions about a possible strengthening of the vertical structure of power during the war. The Joint Statement makes it clear that even in the post-war period, interference by executive authorities in local affairs should be limited by law. Without this principle, decentralisation loses its meaning.

5. Post-war elections: Criteria, security, and the rights of internally displaced persons and military personnel

The Statement welcomes the establishment of a parliamentary working group and the preparatory measures taken by the Central Election Commission.

Excerpt from the Statement: ‘Encourage further efforts to complete the legal framework... while ensuring the effective exercise of electoral rights, in particular for internally displaced persons, military personnel and citizens abroad.’

The parties agreed to continue their work within the framework of the High-Level Dialogue, with the support of the PACE, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, and the Venice Commission.

For Ukraine, this means that European partners are ready to support local self-government reform on the path to the EU. And for communities, this is an additional tool for influence: any changes are to comply with the Council of Europe’s standards and, consequently, be transparent and predictable.

The full text of the Joint Statement has been published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on the Organisation of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning.