[13] The 12th convocation of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR (elected in 1990) issued the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine,[13] introduced elements of a market economy and political liberalization, and officially changed the numeration of its sessions,[13] proclaiming itself the first convocation of the "Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine".

The institution originated in the time of Kievan Rus' and then represented a council of boyars and of the higher clergy.

Like in many other Soviet republics, Verkhovna Rada is a localized version of this term used in the Ukrainian SSR.

[22] The Congress of Soviets was initiated by its Central Executive Committee, which it elected and held accountable.

[13] The first partially free elections to the Verkhovna Rada and local councils of people's deputies were held on 4 March 1990.

The Act of Ukrainian Independence was overwhelmingly supported in a national referendum held on 1 December 1991.

The Constitution of Ukraine[25] was adopted by the thirteenth convocation of the Verkhovna Rada on 28 June 1996, at approximately 9 a.m. local time.

[26] After the Orange Revolution, constitutional amendments were adopted in December 2004,[27] by the fourth (fifteenth) convocation of the Verkhovna Rada.

After the transfer of the capital of the Ukrainian SSR from Kharkiv to Kyiv in 1934, a whole set of government buildings was planned for the city.

Having been destroyed in the Second World War, the building was reconstructed from 1945 to 1947, with the rebuilt glass dome one metre higher than the original.

[36] The latest version of the document was adopted on 16 December 2012, in which through the initiative of the President of Ukraine amendments were made concerning registration and voting by parliamentarians.

Bills are usually considered following the procedure of three readings; the President of Ukraine must sign a law before it can be officially promulgated.

[39] The Verkhovna Rada is a unicameral legislature with 450 people's deputies (Ukrainian: народний депутат) elected on the basis of equal and direct universal suffrage through a secret ballot.

The formation of official parliamentary factions is regulated by the Verkhovna Rada's rules and procedures.

[53] On 20 March 2022, the activities of the main opposition party, Opposition Platform — For Life were suspended by the National Security and Defense Council for the period of martial law due to allegations of having ties to Russia made by the Council during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

[59] Until 2019, the Ukrainian President, Prime Minister, members of the government and deputies all had parliamentary immunity[60] and agents of law enforcement were prohibited from searching their homes or following them.

[60] In June 2008 the parliament failed to adopt the Bill on restriction of privileges for deputies and introduction of imperative mandate.

[64] In December 2019 deputy's immunity was dismantled except that a lawmaker is not legally liable for the results of voting or statements in parliament and its bodies.

[80] The chairman is also empowered to call special sessions of parliament,[81] enact bills vetoed by the President when the Verkhovna Rada votes to overturn a veto by a two-thirds majority, and participate in meetings of the National Security and Defence Council.

[82] In circumstances where the post of President of Ukraine becomes vacant, the Chairman of the Rada becomes the acting head of state with limited authority.

[83] The chairman in duties of the President may dissolve parliament, appoint or submit for parliamentary approval candidates for key official posts, grant military ranks or state orders, and exercise the right of pardon.

[83] The Constitution and Ukrainian legislation contain no provision for presidential succession in cases where the posts of President and Chairman of the Rada are vacant simultaneously.

The group elects its own chairperson, his or her deputy and a secretary on principles for establishing the temporary special commission.

Every member of parliament signs a copy of the oath that is held in the archives of the Verkhovna Rada.

The plenary meetings of the first session reviews the following matters: formation of the provisional presidium of the first session, establishment and registration of the factions, the situation concerning legislation pending before parliament with the Chairman of the previous convocation, the election of the Counting Commission, the chairman, the chairman's deputies, hearing of extraordinary messages on domestic and foreign affairs by the President of Ukraine, hearing and discussion of the Preparation deputy group report, about the parliamentary committees, about Conciliation board of deputy factions in the Verkhovna Rada and about media coverage of the activities and sessions held by the Verkhovna Rada.

[94] A noticeable incident was the disorder of 27 April 2010, after the parliament ratified a treaty that extended the Russian Black Sea Fleet lease in the Crimean port of Sevastopol until 2042, when Chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn had to be shielded with umbrellas as he was pelted with eggs, while smoke bombs exploded and politicians brawled.

[95][96] Another major incident occurred on 16 December 2010 when several Rada members were admitted to hospital after Party of Regions politicians stormed the parliament podium, which was occupied by the Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko faction.

[99] The same day members of the All-Ukrainian Union "Svoboda" removed the fence around the Verkhovna Rada[100] that was installed early October 2012.

The Ukrainian delegation also has its own permanent secretariat of four members that assist in the inter-parliamentary relationships between the PACE and the Verkhovna Rada.

Political developments in Ukraine have led to repeated changes in the electoral system used for parliamentary elections.