🇺🇦🏛️ On 13 January 2026, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a number of significant decisions during its plenary session, covering both legislative reforms and high-level personnel changes. In particular, Members of Parliament approved a comprehensive law on housing policy and supported the resignation of several senior officials.
According to the official information released by the Press Service of the Apparatus of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the parliament adopted the Law on the Fundamental Principles of Housing Policy and approved the dismissal of the Minister of Defence, the First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Digital Transformation, and the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine. Below, the editorial team of www.ndu.kr.ua provides an overview of the key decisions, their implications for citizens, and the possible next steps.
Key Decisions Adopted by Parliament
During the plenary session on 13 January, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the following decisions:
• Adoption of the Law on the Fundamental Principles of Housing Policy (No. 12377).
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the draft law at second reading and as a whole. The law establishes a new framework for housing policy in Ukraine, replacing outdated Soviet-era legislation and introducing modern, people-centred and European-oriented approaches.
• Resignation of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.
Parliament supported the resignation of Denys Shmyhal from the position of Minister of Defence, thereby opening the way for changes in the leadership of the defence sector.
• Dismissal of the First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a resolution on the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov from his government post, marking a significant personnel change in the area of digital governance and innovation.
• Dismissal of the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk.
Members of Parliament also supported the resolution on the dismissal of Vasyl Maliuk from the position of Head of the Security Service of Ukraine.
What These Decisions Mean for Citizens
Housing Policy Reform
The adoption of the Law on the Fundamental Principles of Housing Policy represents a landmark step toward comprehensive reform of Ukraine’s housing sector. For citizens, this reform is expected to have several tangible effects:
• Access to social and affordable housing.
The law introduces new mechanisms for social and affordable rental housing, including state-supported compensation schemes for vulnerable groups, depending on income and social status.
• Clear and transparent rules.
Housing assistance and access to public support will be managed through a unified electronic information system, reducing bureaucratic barriers, increasing transparency, and limiting corruption risks.
• Attraction of investment and partnerships.
The new legal framework encourages public-private partnerships and investment in housing construction and renovation, which is particularly relevant in the context of post-war recovery.
Overall, the reform aims to make the constitutional right to housing more achievable in practice, while aligning Ukraine’s housing policy with European standards.
Personnel Decisions and State Governance
The personnel decisions adopted by the Verkhovna Rada also have direct relevance for society, as they affect key areas of state governance:
• Defence and security.
Changes in the leadership of the Ministry of Defence and the Security Service of Ukraine come at a critical time for national security. These decisions create conditions for further institutional reform and adaptation to wartime and post-war challenges.
• Digital transformation.
The dismissal of the Minister of Digital Transformation marks the beginning of a new phase in digital governance, with expectations that ongoing digital reforms and e-government services will continue under renewed leadership.
Conclusions and Possible Next Steps
The decisions adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on 13 January 2026 demonstrate a combination of legislative renewal and кадрове оновлення (institutional renewal) in key areas of public policy. The housing policy law lays the foundation for long-term reform with a clear social focus, while personnel changes signal an intention to strengthen governance in defence, security, and digital development.
In the coming weeks, attention will focus on:
• the appointment of new officials to the vacated positions,
• the signing and entry into force of the housing policy law,
• and the development of secondary legislation necessary for its effective implementation.
The editorial team of www.ndu.kr.ua will continue to monitor these developments and inform readers about the practical implementation of parliamentary decisions and their impact on citizens.
