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  5. European Integration Processes in Ukraine as a Factor in Modernizing the Law Enforcement Mechanism

Almanac of law. Issue 17 (2026), pages 265–272.

DOI: 10.33663/2524-017X-2026-17-265-272

Volokhov O. S.
European Integration Processes in Ukraine as a Factor in Modernizing the Law Enforcement Mechanism

The article offers a detailed analysis of how Ukraine’s commitments to European integration influence the modernization of its legal enforcement system, especially in light of its EU candidate status. It explores the legal nature and importance of the EU acquis, and describes how authority is divided between the European Union and its Member States, according to Articles 3 and 4 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The study contends that European integration reforms go beyond simply aligning national laws with EU directives and regulations. Instead, they demand a deep overhaul of Ukraine’s institutional, procedural, and functional foundations, considering the supranational nature and independence of EU law. Attention is given to the core principles of EU law, such as supremacy (primacy) and direct effect, along with key constitutional principles like subsidiarity and proportionality. The article investigates their doctrinal bases and judicial interpretations in landmark cases like Van Gend en Loos and Costa v ENEL. It emphasizes that these principles fundamentally alter the interaction between EU law and national legal systems by prioritizing EU norms in conflicts and enabling individuals to directly invoke EU provisions in national courts. The principles of subsidiarity and proportionality are examined as critical safeguards against over-centralization, ensuring a balanced distribution of powers and the legitimacy of regulatory actions. The article advocates for a multidimensional overhaul of Ukraine’s legal enforcement mechanisms, covering normative (including constitutional), institutional, procedural, and digital aspects. Special emphasis is placed on constitutional amendments to officially recognize EU law’s role within Ukraine’s legal framework and to establish legal grounds for transferring certain sovereign powers to the EU. At the same time, the study highlights the challenge of balancing adherence to EU obligations with the preservation of Ukraine’s constitutional identity, especially under martial law. It concludes that successful European integration depends not only on harmonizing legislation with the acquis but also on embedding EU legal principles into national governance. Sustainable reform requires reinforcing judicial independence, ensuring effective judicial protection, improving administrative accountability, and advancing digital public administration. Ultimately, the modernization of the legal enforcement system is both a prerequisite for and a product of Ukraine’s integration into the European legal order.

Keywords: European integration, reforms in European integration, principles of EU law, supremacy (primacy) of EU law, direct effect of EU law, enhancement of the law enforcement mechanism.

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Дата першого надходження рукопису до видання: 28.02.2026
Дата прийнятого до друку рукопису після рецензування: 09.04.2026
Дата публікації: 30.04.2026

 

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