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As Ukrainian parliamentarians convened in Kyiv on Thursday, some displayed cardboard signs reading, “We are with our people.”
The gesture served as a message to the thousands of young protesters who recently participated in the largest anti-government demonstrations since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Their presence was once again prominent on Thursday.
Subsequently, the MPs entered the Rada, the parliament, and overwhelmingly voted to overturn a law introduced the previous week by President Volodymyr Zelensky, which curtailed the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap).
The signs held by the MPs outside the Rada mirrored the placards carried by thousands of young citizens who had taken to the streets in cities across Ukraine for nearly a week.
The protesters demanded that Zelensky and his government cease interference with the two anti-corruption bodies, threatening to continue their demonstrations until the government reversed its decision.
Within days, the government yielded.
Zelensky’s initial bill had removed the independent authority of the two bodies to determine who to prosecute in high-level corruption cases, transferring that power to the general prosecutor, a presidential appointee.
For the placard-bearing protesters, safeguarding the independence of Nabu and Sap was deemed as crucial to their European future as the war against Russia was a matter of national survival.
In 2022, Kyiv was granted EU candidate status, contingent upon demonstrating a credible commitment to combating corruption.
For Ukraine’s Western partners, donors, and investors who contribute significantly to the country through international assistance and funding programs, the existence and independence of these anti-corruption bodies are considered essential.
For Ukraine and its war-affected economy, this external financial support is of paramount importance.
Just ten days prior, MPs had supported Zelensky’s controversial law, yet on Thursday, they voted 331-0 to overturn it, seemingly following Zelensky’s lead on both occasions.
“Ukraine is a democracy – there are definitely no doubts,” he stated on social media.
Many Ukrainians suspect Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, influenced the president’s recent decisions.
Yermak’s position as head of the presidential office is not constitutionally regulated nor subject to checks and balances, raising questions about its role in Ukraine’s democratic system.
Safeguarding democracy and Ukraine’s path towards European integration were the primary motivations for the young protesters, while their compatriots defended the nation on the front lines.
While MPs aimed to demonstrate a resolution to the issue, the crisis has left a lingering sense of unease.
It has raised concerns about Zelensky’s commitment to anti-corruption reforms.
His apparent willingness to compromise on these reforms may have significantly eroded the EU’s trust in his leadership.
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Some observers have drawn connections between the government’s attempt to curtail Nabu and Sap’s independence and the scrutiny faced by powerful figures within Zelensky’s circle, some of whom are either facing charges or under investigation.
Zelensky’s action also followed the government’s rejection of a candidate selected by an independent commission to lead the Bureau for Economic Security, the primary agency investigating economic crimes in Ukraine.
The official justification for Oleksandr Tsyvinski’s rejection was the security service’s denial of clearance, an entity under presidential control.
However, Tsyvinski is a respected anti-corruption expert, and the selection commission continues to advocate for his appointment.
These factors contributed to one of the most significant power crises for Zelensky’s administration since its inception in 2019.
After three and a half years of full-scale war, the risk of further such missteps could prove costly.
According to a National Bank estimate, Ukraine’s budget deficit could reach $13 billion (£10 billion) next year. Kyiv’s ability to continue the war effort hinges on maintaining the support of Western partners.
The EU has already reduced some financial assistance to Ukraine due to the government’s failure to maintain promised reforms.
Ukraine’s young protesters appear to have recognized this reality and were willing to challenge their government in a country they have chosen to remain in despite the constant threat of Russian drone and missile attacks.
A BBC Verify investigation has revealed that the identities of British public sector workers have been cloned using AI by a Russian-linked disinformation campaign.
The 8.8 magnitude earthquake is believed to be one of the most powerful ever recorded.
The deadly Russian air strikes come as US President Donald Trump toughens truce ultimatum to Russia.
The US president says there is “no reason” for waiting amid little sign of progress towards peace.
The Kremlin says reports of a cyber-attack on Russia’s national carrier Aeroflot are “worrying”.
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