Volodymyr Ariev

Biography

Volodymyr Ariev has been a Member of Parliament of Ukraine since the VI convocation. He was a member of the “Our Ukraine–People’s Self-Defense” faction (2007–2012), the “Batkivshchyna” (Fatherland) faction (2012–2014), and the Petro Poroshenko Bloc (2014–2019). In 2019, he joined the “European Solidarity” faction and the Committee on Digital Transformation.

Timeline of Key Events

2025

Did not participate in the vote on a project regarding a special procedure for the compulsory alienation of land in the Uzhhorod district of the Zakarpattia region (#9549). The initiative contained a number of scandalous provisions creating risks for both deforestation and the development of corrupt schemes involving the purchase of real estate from select individuals at 3–3.6 times the market price using budget funds.

In the same year, he was absent during the vote on Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk’s controversial bill to abolish the Commercial Code of Ukraine (#6013), which established general principles for the interaction between business and the state. This law poses risks to national security and was opposed by the “Holka” public initiative, “Ecology. Law. Man,” the “Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group,” and the Association of Ukrainian Cities, all of whom demanded a presidential veto.

Abstained from voting for the so-called “Ihor Mazepa Law” (Draft Law No. 12089), which essentially reflected the demands of unscrupulous business interests. The law provides for the “resetting” of claims regarding illegally acquired forests and coastal lands if ten years have passed since they entered private ownership, potentially legalizing land grabs from the previous decade. Despite a petition demanding a veto gathering over 25,000 signatures, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law. The first victim was the case concerning Protasiiv Yar.

Voted against the liquidation of the independence of anti-corruption bodies, namely the NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Draft Law No. 12414). This vote triggered a protest near Bankova Street, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law the same day.

2023

According to his declaration, he sold gold bullion worth 1 million UAH, which he lent to his daughter to pay compensation to a victim of a car accident. Yaryna Arieva is accused of causing a traffic accident in 2022 while under the influence of drugs, resulting in severe injuries to a woman. The MP claimed the criminal prosecution of his daughter was political revenge. In the same year, his daughter resigned her mandate.

Ariev abstained from voting on the “Medical Cannabis Legalization” bill, which would have allowed the production of medical cannabis in Ukraine for the rehabilitation of wounded military personnel, including the treatment of PTSD.

Supported the bill prohibiting religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine.

2020

Published evidence regarding how special services were preparing the “Wagner special operation” and how representatives of the Presidential Office may have negatively influenced its course. Ariev subsequently called for the creation of a temporary investigative commission regarding the “Wagnerians.”

2019

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine on the “European Solidarity” party list (No. 17). Joined the Committee on Digital Transformation.

2016

Sent a letter to the Prosecutor General’s Office regarding the death of financial scammer Dmytro Malynovskyi, who was wanted by authorities, after personally seeing him alive. According to Bihus.info, at the time of the staged death, Malynovskyi was the primary suspect in several criminal cases in Ukraine.

2015

Elected head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and served as Vice-President of PACE.

2014

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine in Kyiv (district #218) representing the Petro Poroshenko Bloc. During the presidential campaign, he headed Petro Poroshenko’s election headquarters in the Kyiv region. He assisted activists with the protection of the Bilychanskyi Forest.

2012

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine in district #218 (Kyiv) representing the “Batkivshchyna” party.

2007

Elected as a People’s Deputy of Ukraine on the “Our Ukraine–People’s Self-Defense” bloc list (No. 10).

1993-2007

Worked as a journalist for television channels STB, UT-1, 1+1, Inter, and Channel 5.

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