Work to overhaul the country’s legal system is increasing transparency as part of a bid to join the bloc
Last November, the operator of Ukraine’s vast network of gas pipelines walked out of court victorious. After more than two years of legal battles, which showed the fading power of the country’s market-controlling gas tycoons, Ukraine’s Supreme Court ruled in favour of the pipeline operator’s claim that gas networks had evaded payments. The decision prevented the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) from going bankrupt as it meant the company would be able to recover more than €1bn in debts from the gas networks — allegedly controlled by Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash — and continue sending gas to Europe from Russia. This was a lifeline to the region as fuel from Russia through other routes had been stopped or sanctioned. GTSOU started collecting debt repayments, although this has since been stalled to ensure the financial stability of the gas market during the continuing war in Ukraine. It was also the first judgment in Ukraine’s highest court that incorporated a thorough consideration of EU legislation.
Read the full report at https://www.ft.com/content/f840257d-515f-4fe5-9d37-4a382706e1f2
