Perspective – Written by Ruslan Bortnik
The persistent occurrence of political assassinations, extrajudicial killings and mysterious deaths among high-ranking Ukrainian politicians, journalists and public figures, reveals a deeply entrenched culture of impunity and violence within Ukraine’s political system. The recent assassination of Andriy Portnov—a key figure in Ukraine’s judicial and political elite—underscores the continued use of lethal force to resolve political rivalries, raising concerns about the stability of Ukraine’s institutional framework. As Ukraine moves closer to potential membership of the European Union, those unresolved political crimes and the apparent absence of accountability represent a serious threat to the Union’s legal and democratic foundations. Integrating a state where political murder remains a viable instrument of power could import instability into the EU’s decision-making processes, judicial cooperation and fundamental values.
The full analysis is available here.