The COVID-19 pandemic descended on Ukraine over the course of two weeks putting its turbulent political life, wryly called by new political leadership “Ukraine’s turbo-regime,” to an effective standstill. The first Ukrainian citizen was diagnosed with coronavirus on March 2[1] and on March 12 quarantine measures were announced[2], putting economics, education, movement and other essential components of Ukrainians’ life on hold due to emergency.
This analysis aims to provide key lessons on Ukrainian civil society capacity to keep Ukraine on its progressive path while the country is coping with taming the virus, drawing from Ukraine’s recent history. The lessons about the first response of the civil society sector and grassroots movement to crisis-related challenges underscore civil society’s critical role in maintaining the country’s democratic course.