Why Europe Isn’t Demanding Higher Taxes in Ukraine—and What Actually Worries Them.

How Ukraine’s Tax System Measures Up to EU Standards

According to Espreso.tv: Tax policy expert Viktoriia Lobun has weighed in on how Ukraine’s tax system aligns with European norms. She pointed out that European partners are far more concerned about the shadow economy and the uneven distribution of tax burdens across the country. According to Lobun, the European Union is not currently pushing Ukraine to raise taxes.

What’s Really Troubling European Officials

The expert explained that the main anxieties among European counterparts revolve around the unequal tax load carried by compliant businesses versus those who evade payments.

'What truly bothers them is the uneven distribution of the tax burden between honest businesses and those who manage to avoid paying taxes,' she stated.

Lobun also stressed the importance of enforcing existing tax obligations in full, with uniform rules for everyone. In her view, this is essential to creating a predictable tax environment for businesses.

For context, on June 15, all EU member states formally agreed to open the first cluster of accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova. This milestone underscores Ukraine’s drive to integrate into European structures and meet modern standards, including in taxation.

Lobun’s remarks on Ukraine’s tax system highlight the pressing challenges the country faces. Issues like the shadow economy and unequal tax distribution remain critical hurdles that must be addressed to improve the investment climate and support law-abiding enterprises. Successfully resolving these problems could prove decisive for Ukraine’s EU integration and for strengthening ties with European partners.