UNN
The Pecherskyi District Court has allowed the Federation of Trade Unions to return to the Trade Union House in Kyiv. Operations in the historic building are expected to resume in a few weeks.
The Pechersky District Court of the capital issued a ruling allowing the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine to return to its historic building—the Trade Union House in central Kyiv. This was reported in an exclusive comment to UNN by FPU Chairman Serhiy Bizov.
"The court has lifted the ban on the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine occupying the Trade Union House," Serhiy Byzov said.
He explained that the building itself is still under seizure as part of criminal proceedings against former FPU leaders, but now, by court order, the Federation of Trade Unions will be able to return to it.
Serhiy Byzov described his emotions regarding this important decision: "This is a homecoming. You return home after a long time in exile, when your belongings, your offices—everything—were sealed off, when your colleagues and union members were led out of their offices at gunpoint, when you took to the Maidan with the military to defend your rights. It has been a long time of struggle and hardship. Today’s decision brings us home."
The FPU Chairman emphasized that this is a victory for the rule of law, and he is grateful to the judges and everyone who stood on the side of the trade unions in this struggle.
Byzov emphasized: “We knew that sooner or later we would return. This is a great day for every trade unionist, every rank-and-file union member, and every working person. Millions of people have passed through this building. It is a symbol not only of the trade union movement but also of Maidan. And for us, this is a great, momentous event today,”
According to the FPU chairman, he expects that the trade unions will be able to return to the building in just a few weeks. To do so, there are still some procedural steps remaining, in particular, ARMA must terminate the contract with the property manager.
Responding to a follow-up question about the tenants currently occupying the Trade Union House, Serhiy Bizov emphasized that the FPU is cooperating fully with the government and that all representatives of state agencies who need office space and are currently in this building will be able to continue using it.
As UNN previously reported, FPU Chairman Serhiy Byzov stated in an interview that the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine continues to fight in court for the return of the Trade Union House, located in the centre of the capital. He expressed confidence that the trade union movement will return home in the near future.
By court order, the Trade Union House was transferred to the management of ARMA. This asset was under seizure in 2022 and 2023 as part of a case involving the misappropriation of state property. In 2025, the seizure was lifted; however, on June 3, 2025, the Pecherskyi District Court reimposed a seizure on this property.
The agency signed a management agreement with the winner of the open tender—the consortium “Management Company ‘KAMPariet’.”
According to a journalistic investigation, the consortium includes a company that may be linked to one of the asset’s previous beneficiaries. The publication also mentioned the name of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration—Minister of Justice of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna—in the context of past family ties. She categorically denied any involvement in the alleged scheme. After the scandal broke, members of parliament demanded the resignation of the then-head of ARMA, Olena Duma.
An audit conducted by ARMA from August 20 to September 5, 2025, documented violations of certain terms of the asset management agreement.
The Trade Union Building is an administrative building that formerly housed the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine. During the Revolution of Dignity, it served as the headquarters of the National Resistance. The building was almost completely destroyed by fire in February 2014. Between 2016 and 2018, it was restored by a private investor.