On 16 July 2026, a meeting took place at the Constitutional Court of Ukraine between the Acting Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, Oleksandr Petryshyn, and Judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Oleksandr Vodiannikov, Viktor Kychun, and Oleg Pervomayskyi, and a delegation from the Federal Republic of Germany.

The foreign delegation comprised Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank Schwabe; Permanent Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine Katrin Buchholz; Head of the State Secretary’s Office Katharina Limmer; Advisor to the Department of International Legal Cooperation at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection of the Federal Republic of Germany Marlitt Brandes; Head of the Protocol Department at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ukraine Nikolas Heyden; and a representative of the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) Gennadiy Ryzhkov.

Welcoming the meeting participants, the Acting Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Oleksandr Petryshyn, emphasised that the long-standing cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany, its Government and the Federal Constitutional Court is of particular importance for the development of constitutional justice in Ukraine. He noted that the Federal Republic of Germany remains a reliable partner for Ukraine, particularly in the context of Russian aggression. “At this stage of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, this professional dialogue and the opportunity to draw on European experience are of particular importance,” emphasised Oleksandr Petryshyn.

The judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine also emphasised the importance of studying European experience and maintaining ongoing professional communication with their colleagues at the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany. It was noted that the Constitutional Court of Ukraine is beginning to receive cases raising questions regarding the constitutionality of legal regulations established or applied under martial law. The consideration of such issues requires an understanding of the experience – unprecedented in modern Europe – of how a constitutional democracy functions during a full-scale war.

The judges noted that the legal positions of the German Federal Constitutional Court are of significant importance for the development of Ukrainian constitutional adjudication, and that professional discussions with German colleagues contribute to deepening the constitutional and legal dialogue and improving the practice of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine.

Participants in the event discussed the specific aspects of protecting constitutional human rights and freedoms during a period of martial law, in particular the rights of military personnel, as well as the prospects for improving the institution of constitutional complaints. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to develop a model of constitutional adjudication in line with European standards and to adopt the best practices of European Union member states.

Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection Frank Schwabe, thanked the Ukrainian people for defending shared European values – democracy and the rule of law. The German side reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine and its readiness to further deepen intergovernmental and inter-institutional partnership.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue professional dialogue and implement joint initiatives aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, improving constitutional adjudication and supporting Ukraine’s path towards European integration.