Zelenskyy submits bill to establish National Pantheon honouring outstanding Ukrainians in Kyiv

What happened

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on 28 June, Constitution Day, the submission of a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada establishing a National Pantheon in Kyiv to honour distinguished Ukrainians. According to Zelenskyy and Head of the President’s Office Kyrylo Budanov, the Pantheon will memorialise heroes who have fought for Ukraine and inspired its people across centuries without external influence determining whom to honour.

The draft law defines the National Pantheon as a public memorial complex to be located in Kyiv, with construction overseen by the Cabinet of Ministers through an open competitive tender. Funding for the Pantheon’s construction, maintenance, and protection will come from the state budget, ensuring it as a state-supported site of remembrance.

The legislation sets out categories of individuals eligible for commemoration, including past heads of state, presidents of Ukraine, commanders-in-chief, notable contributors to independence and state-building, Nobel laureates, and others. It also excludes individuals convicted of crimes against national security and peace. The law proposes a system for reburials, a Book of Memory for those honoured, and a permanent guard of honour to protect the site.

Known from the source

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada on 28 June to establish a National Pantheon in Kyiv.
• The National Pantheon is intended as a public memorial complex commemorating outstanding Ukrainians who contributed significantly to independence, culture, science, and other national developments.
• The Cabinet of Ministers will oversee the National Pantheon’s construction and funding will come from the state budget.
• The law defines eligible honourees and excludes those convicted of crimes against national security and peace.
• Decisions about honourees, reburials, and the creation of a Book of Memory will be regulated by the draft law, which also provides for a guard of honour.

What remains unclear

Kyrylo Budanov emphasised that the bill enshrines Ukrainians’ right to self-determination in their historical narrative: no external actors will dictate which heroes the country should celebrate or which holidays and history it should uphold. This development connects strongly to ongoing national efforts to strengthen civic unity and resist external pressures amid Russia-Ukraine tensions.

What remains unclear: Confirm if the draft law has passed the Verkhovna Rada or is pending further approval. Verify any official government timelines or locations confirmed for the Pantheon’s construction. Check for official or opposition commentary on the bill that might affect interpretation or public reception. Verify the exact wording of the law’s text regarding categories and exclusions before citing detailed legal provisions.

Evidence note

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Original source: Ukrainska Pravda English. Open the source.