On this day in 1996, Ukraine’s parliament adopted the country’s Constitution, five years after gaining independence from the USSR.
To mark Constitution Day, Kyiv Post spoke with Ukrainians to learn how they view their rights – and those of others – under the Constitution, especially under martial law, where many freedoms are limited for the sake of national security.
More importantly, we asked what changes they hope to see in the future – and what kind of country they believe is worth fighting for.
True equality
Danylo, a 33-year-old interior designer living in Kyiv, told Kyiv Post he wants equality in the form of accountability.
“We’re fighting because we want this country to finally belong to its people – not oligarchs, not corrupt judges, not Kremlin puppets,” he said.
“...those who bled for this country [risk being] forgotten.”
Danylo’s sentiment might explain why President Volodymyr Zelensky was elected in the first place – in 2019, Zelensky entered the race after a career in entertainment and garnered 73% of the vote, running against the incumbent President Petro Poroshenko.
The fact that Zelensky was not part of the post-Soviet elite or oligarch community, might have won him the presidential seat, but amidst Moscow’s full-scale invasion, the cracks in his governance began to show despite him still being trusted by 65% of his people.
According to Danylo, inequality persists under Zelensky for soldiers and civilians alike, and Danylo explained what he wants changed.
“First – real guarantees for soldiers, for veterans. We all know after the war, politicians will pose for photos, but those who bled for this country [risk being] forgotten. [Guarantees] have to be written in stone,” he said.
“Second – stronger protections for ordinary people, for their rights, their homes, their businesses. No more loopholes for the rich to dodge responsibility. No more courts being bought,” he added.
Nastya, a 31-year-old art manager now based in London, shares Danylo’s mainsentiment.
“What needs to change after this? Everything. First, the Constitution should protect people’s right to question power, especially in wartime. No more being branded an enemy just because you want peace, even an imperfect one,” she told Kyiv Post.
“We’re fighting so no one can treat us like we’re disposable ever again.”
Peace, but at what cost?
Like many Ukrainians, Danylo is tired of the war.
“Honestly, I’m tired. Everyone I know is tired. It feels like we’ve been living the same day on repeat – air raids, blackouts, funerals, some victory news, then back to loss again,” he said.
But amid the hardships, for Danylo, the war is a fight for dignity.
“What keeps me here, what keeps most of us going, is simple: We’re fighting so no one can treat us like we’re disposable ever again,” he added.
For Nastya, it is also a fight for freedom to speak out, even if some might find that message hard to listen to.
“I want a Ukraine where we stop being trapped between corrupt politicians and foreign interests. A Ukraine where life matters more than flags,” she said.
Nastya is also of the opinion that Ukrainians are being used as cannon fodder to advance others’ interests.
“Honestly? I want peace to be written into the Constitution, not just slogans about ‘heroism’ and ‘sacrifice.’ Real commitments to diplomacy, to neutrality, to making sure future generations aren’t used as cannon fodder for geopolitics,” she said.
“That’s what I’d fight for – and I won’t be quiet about it. Even if they call me the enemy for wanting peace.”
As controversial as Nastya’s comments might be for a country at war, they also highlight the war fatigue experienced by many Ukrainians – and more importantly, the uncertainty as to the meaning of sacrifice and what awaits the country next.
Accountability and oversight
Certain corruption cases have eroded the trust of Ukrainians in the institution of law, especially when the country is fighting for its survival.
For Olena, a 25-year-old research assistant, the Constitution should hold officials accountable, especially those responsible for Ukraine’s defense.
As for what she would like to see changed in the Constitution:
“Constitutional liability for corruption in the defense sector, parliamentary control over defense spending and procurement, increasing the role of civilian oversight,” Olena told Kyiv Post.
Several high-profile scandals in the defense sector have led to the sacking and resignation of senior officials, including the former Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov, over the scandal involving the purchase of winter uniforms at inflated prices.
Numerous reforms have since been implemented and no new defense scandals have emerged, but confidence takes time to build, and Ukrainians like Danylo and Olena believe that the Constitution could be a vital instrument to increase transparency over such processes.
Gay rights and gun rights
Other Ukrainians interviewed by Kyiv Post also expressed their desire for certain rights to be respected through constitutional amendments after the war.
“Equal rights for same sex couples,” a director of studies at an English School told Kyiv Post when asked what she would like to see changed.
In Ukraine, homosexuality is legal, but same-sex marriage is not recognized – a step more lenient than Russia, which treats the international LGBT movement as “extremist” – but not as LGBTQ+ friendly as most Western nations.
The topic remains controversial in Ukraine due to the country’s strong religious influence, and bills to advance LGBTQ+ rights have encountered strong opposition from conservative groups.
Denys, a 47-year-old director of operations, wants gun rights.
“Citizens should be allowed to possess firearms to protect themselves and others… their property as well as their country,” he told Kyiv Post.
While firearm possession is legal in Ukraine, it comes with heavy restrictions – civilians can obtain permits for hunting and sporting rifles, but handguns are out of the question.
But the abundance of trophy weapons remains a concern for a country at war. While the government has taken steps to address the issue by easing certain restrictions, how that would play out after the war remains to be seen.