The decision of the World Zionist Organization to establish the Zionist Federation of Ukraine (ZFU) was adopted in December 2001, based on the principles of the Jerusalem Program. However, the Federation only began its active work in the summer of 2015.

Since early 2017, the ZFU has operated in Ukraine as a non-governmental organization.

While recognizing and adhering to the Jerusalem Program, since February 24, 2022, the Zionist Federation of Ukraine has aligned its activities primarily with the following priorities: full support for Ukraine in its struggle against aggression; strengthening the unity of the Jewish community of Ukraine under the challenging conditions of war; participation in volunteer initiatives in support of Ukraine; and the promotion of research, study, and teaching on the history of the Jews of Eastern Europe, among other areas.

In the summer of 2015, for the first time in the history of the Jewish community of independent Ukraine, seven delegates represented Ukraine at the 37th World Zionist Congress, held in Jerusalem in October 2015.
In 2020, Ukraine was represented by five delegates at the 38th World Zionist Congress.
In 2023, five delegates again represented Ukraine at the 39th World Zionist Congress.

The Executive Director of the ZFU also addressed the 38th Congress as a special guest, speaking on the war in Ukraine.

Over the past ten years, the Federation has initiated numerous programs and projects of its own. Particular emphasis has been placed on youth educational initiatives, including the history of the Jewish community of Ukraine, the history of the Jews of Eastern Europe, the history of the Zionist movement, and efforts to counter antisemitism and xenophobia.

The Federation also organizes conferences and discussions featuring prominent Ukrainian and Israeli politicians and public figures.

Following February 24, 2022, the ZFU launched a number of projects involving crisis psychologists.