Ukraine Pressured to Legalize Gay Marriage

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics Europe

Sweden warns Kyiv it must meet EU LGBTQ+ rights standards — including same-sex unions — as part of its accession bid.

KYIV, UKRAINE — (August 2, 2025) — LGBTQ+ equality just became a key condition on Ukraine’s road to European Union membership. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has publicly urged Ukraine to legalize same-sex marriage, declaring it essential for aligning with the bloc’s democratic values.

Related Coverage Links on JRL CHARTS:

• Get the Latest in LGBT Politics USA Exclusively on JRL CHARTS

• Breaking Military News involving LGBTQ Service Members and Security

• LGBT Politics Europe – Updates on Hate Crimes, Judicial Rulings

• Stay Up to Date on the Happenings in LGBT Politics in Asia

“There’s a living expression of the libertarian values that Ukraine is fighting for,” said Kristersson on Friday in Stockholm, where he met with LGBTQ+ Ukrainian veterans and Sweden’s RFSL human rights group. He emphasized that Ukraine’s lack of marriage or partnership rights for same-sex couples remains a barrier in its EU candidacy.

Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in 2022 following the escalation of war with Russia. While EU officials are eyeing 2030 as a potential accession year, every current member state must unanimously approve the bid — and countries like Sweden are setting conditions that include full legal protections for LGBTQ+ citizens.

Kristersson also stated that Sweden would “closely monitor” Ukraine’s progress on LGBTQ+ rights during the accession process.

In a small sign of progress, a Ukrainian court in July recognized a same-sex couple as a legal family for the first time. The couple, married in the United States, was allowed to live abroad after the court acknowledged their relationship despite the lack of legal or blood ties — a historic ruling that could set a precedent.

Despite multiple pledges by Ukrainian leaders — including a 2015 proposal for civil partnerships and a 2022 directive from President Volodymyr Zelensky to draft same-sex union legislation — legal change remains stalled. Conservative and religious opposition inside the country has slowed progress.

Meanwhile, critics point out that even Sweden has room for improvement, with limited access to transgender healthcare and lingering issues in legal gender recognition.

In Case You Missed these Explosive News Stories on JRL CHARTS:

The contrast is sharp when viewed against Russia’s authoritarian crackdown: Moscow banned “LGBT propaganda” in 2022 and designated the LGBT movement an “extremist organization” in 2024. While the Kremlin remains staunchly opposed to Ukraine joining NATO, it has taken a less combative stance on EU membership — with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating in March that Kyiv had the “sovereign right” to join if the EU remains an economic union.

As Ukraine seeks deeper alignment with the West, LGBTQ+ rights are becoming more than just a civil issue — they’re now a political litmus test on the global stage.

Stay with JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics Europe for the latest developments on LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine and across the EU.

Media Partners: For licensing inquiries, media usage rights, or republication requests, please visit our Contact Us page. All content © JRL CHARTS Media Network. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.