30.07.2025
In the Ukrainian reality, a draft law can be passed in a single day or be delayed for hundreds of days, and the process of its preparation within the Government is often opaque. For business, especially in such a highly regulated industry as energy, this unpredictability creates significant risks. Anastasiia Zernova, a legal expert with over 20 years of international experience, spoke about how to move from chaotic reactions to systematic work, build an internal early warning system, and effectively influence the legislative process during her lecture “Legislative Monitoring” as part of the “Communications and Interaction in Energy” course by Energy Club.
The expert emphasized that the key to influence is a systematic approach. “Clear and structured work with draft laws allows for effective tracking of legislative initiatives, timely engagement in consultations, and exerting a well-founded influence on decision-making,” noted Anastasiia Zernova.
The speaker shared practical tools that allow for tracking legislative initiatives at various stages:
One of the key insights of the lecture was the thesis that the most reliable source for predicting future legislative changes is Ukraine’s international obligations. “We must always look broader than what is happening in Ukraine,” the lecturer stressed.
The most important such tool is the Ukraine Facility Plan, which defines the specific reforms and KPIs necessary to receive financial tranches from the EU. “It has fixed deadlines and responsible authorities,” explained Anastasiia Zernova, “so you can, for example, forecast what changes to Ukrainian legislation will occur.” She also advised constantly monitoring EU directives and regulations on the EUR-Lex portal, as harmonization with EU law is a constant driver of changes for Ukrainian legislation.
Monitoring, according to the speaker, is only the first step. The next is to exert influence through the tools of participatory democracy: public consultations, public expert reviews, participation in committee meetings, and civilized lobbying.
Concluding the lecture, Anastasiia Zernova used a metaphor that underscored the importance of a systematic approach for successful European integration: “We must build a Swiss watch in Ukraine. Everything must be so well-coordinated, and we must approach our work systematically so that we can be a part of the European Union.”
About the course: The course “Communications and Interaction in Energy: Strategies for PR, Marketing, GR and Lobbying in Ukraine” from Energy Club is designed to enhance the communication capabilities of companies, promote their competitiveness, and support the sustainable development of Ukraine’s energy sector.
