The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Tuesday, November 10, adopted in the second reading and as a whole bill No. 15056, which strengthens the legal mechanisms for combating bribery of foreign officials in international business transactions. The document was initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of bringing Ukrainian legislation in line with the standards of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The adoption of the law was announced by People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak. According to him, the bill was supported as a whole by 247 parliamentarians.

As follows from the bill's card, the document was registered on March 6, 2026, on the initiative of the President of Ukraine. It provides for amendments to the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Law "On Prevention of Corruption".

The main goal of the adopted changes is to eliminate discrepancies between Ukrainian legislation and the provisions of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.

In particular, the law clarifies the definition of foreign officials covered by the provisions of Ukrainian criminal legislation. Relevant categories include representatives of public authorities of other states, including local self-government bodies, judges, officials of international organizations, members of international parliamentary assemblies, and judges of international courts.

Also, the limitation related to Ukraine's participation in international organizations for determining the range of officials whose bribery is covered by criminal legislation is removed.

A separate block of changes concerns the liability of legal entities and prevention of corruption in business. The law improves the provisions on the application of criminal law measures to the successors of companies.

In addition, the anti-corruption obligations of persons authorized to act on behalf of a legal entity or represent its interests are clarified. This applies not only to staff employees, but also to representatives who received relevant powers on the basis of a contract, constituent documents or other permits.

Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code also provide for the possibility of appealing decisions of an investigating judge on the application or refusal to apply restrictions on the activity of a legal entity during pre-trial investigation.

The explanatory note to the bill states that Ukraine applied for OECD membership back in 2022. In October 2025, the Organisation's Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions decided to invite Ukraine to join the relevant convention.

In March 2026, the Verkhovna Rada already adopted a separate law on Ukraine's accession to this convention. The current document is necessary to align national legal norms with international obligations.

Zheleznyak called today's vote an important step for Ukraine's participation in the OECD. At the same time, joining the anti-corruption convention does not mean automatic acquisition of membership in the organisation itself.

According to the provisions of the adopted document, the law is to enter into force on the day following its official publication. As of November 10, the bill's card indicates the status "Prepared for signature".

Based on materials from: Yaroslav Zheleznyak, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine - bill No. 15056, Law on Ukraine's accession to the OECD Convention