The Ukrainian government is facing increasing criticism after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed into law a bill perceived as limiting the independence of key anti-corruption bodies.
The controversial legislation places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) under the purview of the Prosecutor General, a presidential appointee.
Spontaneous protests erupted in several Ukrainian cities on Tuesday, with further demonstrations planned for Wednesday evening.
Kyiv’s Western allies have voiced their disapproval. A spokesperson for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that she had requested “explanations” from the Ukrainian government regarding the new law.
President Zelensky has defended the legislation, arguing that it is necessary to address the stagnation of criminal proceedings within NABU and SAP, while also asserting the need to “cleanse” these institutions of “Russian influence.”
The bill was signed into law on Tuesday after securing the support of 263 out of 324 Members of Parliament.
However, many Ukrainians outside the Rada (parliament) oppose the decision. Critics contend that the law will significantly undermine the authority and effectiveness of NABU and SAP.
On Tuesday evening, thousands of protesters gathered outside the Presidential Office in Kyiv.
Smaller rallies also took place in Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy, despite the ongoing threat of Russian aerial attacks. These demonstrations represent the largest display of anti-government sentiment since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022.
The fight against corruption is widely regarded as crucial to Kyiv’s prospects for European Union integration, a path initiated in 2014 with the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in favor of closer ties with the West.
The establishment of NABU and SAP was a key requirement set by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund over a decade ago to facilitate the relaxation of visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU.
In 2022, Ukraine was granted EU candidate status, a significant development that boosted morale and strengthened ties with its European partners.
Concerns are now rising that President Zelensky’s actions may jeopardize Kyiv’s growing alignment with the West, a cause for which many Ukrainians believe their country continues to pay a high price due to the Russian conflict. “Corruption lives – the future dies,” read one placard at the Kyiv protest.
Von der Leyen’s spokesman reiterated that respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption are “core elements” of EU membership, and that as a candidate country, Ukraine is expected to uphold these standards. “There cannot be a compromise,” he stated.
Corruption remains a significant challenge in Ukraine, which currently ranks 105 out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. However, this rating represents an improvement of 39 points since the creation of NABU and SAP in 2014.
Since their inception, these two bodies have conducted extensive investigations into the misappropriation of millions of dollars’ worth of assets and bribery across various ministries and sectors.
In 2023, a joint investigation led to the arrest of the head of Ukraine’s Supreme Court, Vsevolod Kniaziev, in connection with a $3 million bribe. Earlier this month, NABU also conducted searches at the residence of former Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
With NABU and SAP now operating under presidential oversight, concerns are being raised about potential limitations on scrutiny of high-profile figures close to the government. One protester in Kyiv told Radio Liberty that the government had “destroyed everything that has been worked on for years” by curtailing the bodies’ independence.
Despite a nationwide ban on mass gatherings under martial law, further protests were anticipated in an even greater number of cities across Ukraine on Wednesday evening.
The “scandalous” law passed on Tuesday “dealt a critical blow to Ukraine’s European integration process,” according to the Ukrainska Pravda website, while another outlet, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, warned that Zelensky had taken a “step towards authoritarianism.”
Prominent war veteran Masi Nayem told his 54,000 Facebook followers that he had joined the protests in Kyiv as a “duty” to the victims of Russia’s war. “I fought for the nation, for the people and the democratic system,” he added.
European allies have also expressed concern. Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul stated that the legislation “hampered Ukraine’s way towards the EU,” and France’s European affairs minister Benjamin Haddad urged Kyiv to reverse its decision.
However, on Wednesday, following a meeting with representatives of NABU and SAP, President Zelensky reiterated his stance. He acknowledged the protests and promised the creation of a joint plan to combat corruption within two weeks, while also emphasizing the need for unity against “Russian occupiers.”
In a joint statement, the two agencies pushed back and said they had been deprived of the guarantees that allowed them to combat corruption effectively. They also thanked Ukrainians for their “principled position, active support and concern”.
Wednesday marked the beginning of the third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. However, the attention of many Ukrainians remained focused on the new bill, not just because there was limited optimism for progress in Moscow or Kyiv.
“This is government lawlessness,” a Lviv resident named Liza told Radio Liberty. “We don’t want to have to fight both Russia and our own government.”
The ex-president slammed claims that he suppressed intelligence as “a weak attempt at distraction”.
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The offer comes amid renewed fighting and seeks to resume negotiations that were halted in early June.