Finance Committee Recommends Adoption of SEPA Bill

The Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Taxation, and Customs Policy has made a significant decision to recommend that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine accept Bill No. 14327 as a foundational step towards integrating Ukraine into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). This announcement was made by Yaroslav Zheleznyak, the first deputy head of the committee representing the Holos faction.

According to information shared by Zheleznyak on his Telegram channel, during the voting on the bill, 13 committee members expressed their support, one person abstained, and two voted against it. This outcome indicates that the majority of committee members consider the advancement of this bill crucial for Ukraine's integration into the European payment system.

Yaroslav Zheleznyak also voiced his concerns regarding the potential consequences of increased oversight by financial monitoring authorities. He stated, "I am categorically opposed to any enhancement of the Financial Monitoring without a complete overhaul. There will be significant issues regarding the registry of accounts and safes. I would like to remind that the provision for a proper competition to select the head of Financial Monitoring was excluded from the bill," emphasizing the importance of proper governance in this area.

This bill represents an important step towards aligning Ukraine with European financial standards. Earlier, on January 23, 2026, representatives from the European Commission, including DG ENEST, TRADE, and FISMA, during a meeting with the head of the financial committee, Danil Hetmantsev, stressed the necessity of bringing Ukrainian legislation in line with EU acquis in the area of anti-money laundering (AML/CFT).

The European Commission highlighted that the implementation of the SEPA bill is a critical phase in Ukraine's journey towards European Union membership. It also noted that this step would help reduce costs for international payments for both businesses and citizens, which will be a vital factor for the country's economic development.

Bill No. 14327, which proposes amendments to several laws regarding Ukraine's accession to SEPA, was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on December 23, 2025. This reflects the active efforts of the Ukrainian government towards financial integration and adaptation to European standards, which are essential for improving the business climate and attracting investments into the country.