Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has formally responded to a public petition calling for the decriminalization of pornography, stating that any change to existing laws must follow the legislative process and will depend on parliamentary action.

The petition, launched by OnlyFans model Svitlana Dvornikova on June 27, quickly gathered over 25,000 signatures—the threshold required to prompt an official response from the president’s office. The request urges lawmakers to support draft bill No. 12191, which proposes significant amendments to Article 301 of the Criminal Code, narrowing criminal liability for pornographic content to instances involving minors or distribution with the intent to reach minors.

In his official statement, Zelensky refrained from expressing a personal stance on the issue. Instead, he acknowledged the petition’s popularity and reiterated that legislative authority rests with Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.

“I inform you that Ukraine is a state governed by the rule of law… state authorities and local self-government bodies, their officials are obliged to act only on the basis, within the limits of their powers, and in the manner provided for by the Constitution and laws of Ukraine,” the president wrote.

Zelensky confirmed that the draft law is currently under review by the Verkhovna Rada and emphasized that his role will take effect only after the legislation is passed. At that point, he will either sign the law into effect or return it to parliament with proposed revisions.

The proposed reform seeks to modernize Ukraine’s decades-old pornography laws, which date back to a Soviet-era interpretation of obscenity. Under current legislation, individuals involved in the production or distribution of adult content can face prison sentences of three to five years. Activists, performers, and civil liberties groups have criticized these provisions as outdated and overly punitive.

Dvornikova, who has publicly defended her work and tax contributions as a content creator, argues that decriminalization would align Ukrainian law with democratic principles and reduce unnecessary legal targeting of adult workers.

“It is time to stop hunting people for victimless activities,” she wrote in the petition. “Law enforcement should deal with real crimes, not controlled purchases of intimate photos.”

Zelensky’s response included confirmation that the petition’s proposals have been forwarded to the appropriate parliamentary committee for consideration during legislative review.

The outcome of Bill No. 12191 and Ukraine’s broader approach to regulating adult content will now depend on the actions of the Verkhovna Rada. No timeline for debate or a vote has yet been announced.