Zelenskyy signs disputed property bill into law despite veto calls
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved bill No. 12089 on April 7, granting legal protection to “bona fide acquirers”—those who unknowingly purchased property from someone without rightful ownership—igniting widespread criticism.
According to the bill card on the Verkhovna Rada website, the document was returned with the president's signature on Monday.
The legislation, now law, prevents the state or local municipalities from reclaiming such property if more than 10 years have passed since its ownership was registered, barring exceptions like critical infrastructure, strategic economic assets, cultural heritage sites, or nature reserves.
Under the law, if a claim succeeds, courts must order compensation to the bona fide buyer—deposited by a state agency—before the property reverts to public ownership.
Only then can the state seek damages from the party responsible for the illegal transfer.
Why is the law criticized?
The Verkhovna Rada’s legal department had flagged the bill for favoring certain parties and raised concerns it could hinder Ukraine from recovering assets seized by Russia, the occupying state.
Activists slammed the law as a green light for “high-profile developments” and “land schemes,” warning it threatens forests, waterways, coastlines, archaeological sites, and defense lands.
Post-passage, petitions urging a veto flooded the President’s Office website, with one surpassing the 25,000-signature threshold for a response—yet unanswered as of April 7.
The Kyiv-based Spadshchyna NGO is now rallying groups for a joint lawsuit to overturn the law, arguing it legitimizes corruption and undermines public property rights.
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