Ukraine is officially an EU candidate country. In the process, it has gone through a flurry of legislation on digital innovation, making it a leader in this field.
Despite Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has pushed ahead with digital administration. From security to logistics to agriculture and the economy, the war has forced Ukraine to take leaps that countries in peacetime do not have to do.
These offer valuable lessons, which as a member of the European Union, Ukraine would be well-positioned to share with the rest of the bloc. Ukraine’s digital transformation is not just a key step towards EU integration but a game-changing achievement that could reshape how the EU handles digital governance.
Not just a strategy, a success story
Ukraine's integration into the EU's digital single market has been a priority since establishing the Ministry of Digital Transformation in 2019. Ukraine is the first country in the world to have digital passports that are equivalent to paper or plastic ones. As a non-EU country, it became one of the first in the world whose COVID-19 certificates in the Diia app were officially recognized by the EU. It also has one of the fastest business registrations online, taking less than 10 minutes.
Diia (Ukrainian: Дія, meaning "action”) can be described as a one-stop shop where citizens can access a range of services, such as applying for benefits, paying taxes, accessing essential documents, registering and running businesses, and providing digital signatures.
A leap forward for public services, Diia has provided a new way for the state to reach its citizens. In April, the Diia app became available worldwide as open-source code. Accessible to governments and IT professionals in several programming languages, Diia is set to influence the digitalisation of government services worldwide. Ukraine is committed to doing more to help other governments build more efficient, transparent and citizen-friendly digital services.
Ukraine's progress in the digital realm has not gone unnoticed by the EU. In 2022, in its report on the state of integration reforms in Ukraine, the European Commission assessed the digital sector as "well advanced.” Ukraine has already begun participating in key EU digital projects, including the Digital Identity Wallet initiative. It is the only non-member country among 20 consortium participants involved in all six use cases.
A digital leader for Europe’s future
As Ukraine advances in this space, it stands not just as a candidate for EU membership but as a leader in digital governance. Integrating Ukraine’s digital sector will benefit both sides, creating a more robust and secure digital single market. Ukraine’s readiness to join the EU’s roam-like-at-home policy is further evidence of its commitment to becoming a fully integrated digital member of the EU.
Ukraine's progress in cybersecurity, communications, AI, and digital services align with the EU’s Digital Decade Strategy. Ukraine’s digital-first approach represents a future where governments are more efficient, transparent and connected.
As such, Ukraine is not just preparing to meet the EU’s standards — it is contributing to shaping them. As the EU looks to its future, it would be wise to fully embrace Ukraine as a participant and a driving force in the digital transition.