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On 1 July 2026, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine considered a set of decisions that reflect the logic of a state defending itself during a full-scale war: preserving national memory, strengthening the European course, and protecting people forced to leave their homes because of Russian aggression.

Ukrainian National Pantheon: a state space of remembrance

The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law of Ukraine “On the Ukrainian National Pantheon”, draft law No. 15360. The document provides for the creation of a state memorial complex in Kyiv that will serve as a place of honour for distinguished figures of Ukraine, including through reburial, cenotaphs or memorial plaques.

The idea goes beyond a memorial site. In wartime, national memory becomes an element of resilience. Ukraine is defending not only its territory, but also its historical continuity, political subjectivity and the right to define its own national tradition — from the era of Kyivan Rus to modern independent Ukraine.

The Pantheon is expected to become a place for state ceremonies, patriotic education and official protocol events, including visits by foreign leaders and delegations. At the same time, the law introduces clear safeguards: persons convicted of crimes against Ukraine’s national security, international law and order, or those falling under legislation condemning communist, Nazi and Russian imperial totalitarian regimes, cannot be honoured there.

Order of Europe: recognition for those who strengthen Ukraine and Europe

Parliament also adopted in the first reading draft law No. 15359, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The draft proposes to amend Article 7 of the Law of Ukraine “On State Awards of Ukraine” and introduce a new state award — the Order of Europe.

The award is intended for citizens of Ukraine and foreign nationals who have made outstanding personal contributions to supporting Ukraine’s strategic course towards full membership in the European Union, strengthening international cooperation, promoting democracy and peace, and helping Ukraine defend its independence and the security of Europe.

This decision reflects a broader political reality: Ukraine’s European path is not merely a diplomatic formula. It is part of the country’s daily struggle for freedom, security and democratic values. The Order of Europe may become a symbol of gratitude to those who support Ukraine at the political, military, humanitarian, diplomatic and civic levels.

New Law on IDPs: from temporary response to systemic state policy

Another important decision was the adoption of a new basic Law on ensuring the rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons, draft law No. 12301. The law responds to the challenges caused by the ongoing armed aggression against Ukraine and updates the legal framework for protecting people displaced by war.

The law provides for state support for internally displaced persons at all key stages: adaptation, integration, return to the abandoned place of residence and reintegration. It also guarantees that IDPs should have access to pensions under general rules, without additional or different procedures that would narrow their right to pension provision.

The document also introduces an electronic cabinet for IDPs, which should help assess their needs, the level of satisfaction of those needs, and the degree of integration in their new communities. Housing support is another key component, including both general housing mechanisms and special tools relevant specifically to internally displaced persons.

For Ukrainian communities, this law has a very practical dimension. It concerns housing, schools, healthcare, social services, transport, employment and local budgets. The protection of IDPs is therefore also a question of community resilience and the capacity of local self-government to withstand the consequences of war.

Regional dimension: parliamentary decisions must work in communities

The three decisions adopted and supported by Parliament are different in subject matter, but they are united by one political logic. The Ukrainian National Pantheon is about memory and state continuity. The Order of Europe is about Ukraine’s irreversible European course and gratitude to allies. The new Law on IDPs is about people who need not only temporary assistance, but a stable and predictable state policy.

For the regions, these issues are not abstract. Memory is preserved not only in the capital, but also in local communities, memorial alleys, schools, families of fallen defenders and everyday civic practices. The European course is implemented not only through negotiations in Brussels, but also through transparency, local development, donor cooperation and the recovery of communities. The protection of IDPs is tested every day in cities, towns and villages that receive people displaced by the war.

The plenary decisions of 1 July 2026 show that Ukraine is working simultaneously with several dimensions of wartime statehood: historical memory, European integration and social protection.

Ukraine is fighting not only for territory. It is fighting for the right to have its own memory, its own place in Europe and its own model of a state in which people are not left alone with the consequences of war.