Ukraine's parliament goes on 26-day recess with key reform laws still pending

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has gone on a 26-day recess, suspending plenary sessions from September 17 through October 13. The parliamentary break comes at a time when several significant reform laws remain unresolved, raising concerns among Ukrainian civil society and international partners. Among the pending legislation are reforms to the State Bureau of Investigations (DBI), a competition for the position of Prosecutor General, and the establishment of an expert institution for NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau) and SAP (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office). These reforms are considered important milestones for Ukraine's anti-corruption commitments to European partners. The parliamentary recess is a standard procedural break, though its timing draws attention given the ongoing wartime legislative needs. The Rada is expected to resume work on October 14, when lawmakers will need to address both the stalled reform agenda and the regular year-end budget discussions.