Experts: Law on same-sex marriage may deprive Ukraine of U.S. aid

Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: NV

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement that he would sign the bill on "family unions" for same-sex partners if passed by the Verkhovna Rada has caused a resonance in society, with experts giving their opinions on the initiative, reports Strana.

The draft law in question is Bill No. 9103, "On the Institute of Registered Partnerships", which was introduced in Parliament in March 2023. Experts warn that the adoption of this law could worsen Ukraine’s relationship with the new US administration.

Ruslan Kukharchuk, head of the "Vsi Razom!" movement, notes that Zelensky’s agreement to sign the law could strengthen anti-Ukrainian propaganda, especially with the change of power in Washington. "This 'yes' will now significantly enhance all anti-Ukrainian propaganda aimed at Republicans and Conservatives in the West. They are just now getting all the power. Unfortunately, they were convinced even without this ‘yes’ that modern Ukraine is a project of the US Democratic Party and radical leftists,” Kukharchuk wrote.

Former presidential advisor Oleksiy Arestovych also warns of possible consequences for Ukrainian-American relations. "Republicans will be enraged and will gain another argument for ending aid to Ukraine," Arestovych believes.

Political scientist Andriy Zolotarev adds that the adoption of the same-sex partnership law could provoke dissatisfaction not only abroad but also among Ukrainians. "The arrival of the Republican administration across the ocean is starting completely different trends in the world. Therefore, if President Zelensky was serious, then he is reaching for honey from the wrong bees. But the main issue is not even what’s happening in the world, but what will happen in Ukraine. The government will not be understood if it focuses on the legalisation of same-sex unions. People are currently concerned about security, provision and the country’s future, not all of this," Zolotarev commented to Strana.

Political scientist Ruslan Bortnik emphasises that the LGBT topic has long been supported by Western grants, but the situation could change with the arrival of Republicans in power. "The topic of LGBT rights has been tirelessly championed by NGOs on Western grants for many years so the issue has been returned to time and again. But after Trump’s victory, the context changes. So, no one will push this forward. Not to mention that the President, in his haste, likely didn’t fully understand the question he was being asked," Bortnik believes.

Zelensky's statement has sparked a sharp debate on social media and among experts, especially against the backdrop of potential consequences for Ukraine's relations with the new administration of US President Donald Trump, which holds a negative stance on LGBT issues.

As reported by the UOJ, Zelensky confirmed that he would sign the civil partnerships law. During a meeting with students, he was asked whether he was ready to sign the law, to which the President responded affirmatively: "Yes".

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