President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took an unexpected step by submitting a new bill aimed at restoring the powers of two key anti-corruption bodies – the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) – just days after his initial proposal triggered massive civic unrest.
The initial bill, passed a week earlier, envisaged placing these institutions under the direct control of the prosecutor general, which immediately provoked sharp criticism from the public and Ukraine's international partners.
Thousands of citizens took to the streets in various cities, protesting against attempts to limit the independence of anti-corruption services. Demonstrators insisted on preserving institutional autonomy, which turned into the largest protests since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Zelenskyy initially justified the initial restrictions with the need to protect against Russian influence, referring to previous security service investigations against potential spies. Subsequently, however, the president changed his position, stating that the new bill aims to precisely guarantee the independence of these structures.
The European Commission expressed satisfaction with the Ukrainian leadership's quick reaction, emphasizing that the rule of law and the fight against corruption are key requirements for European integration. The creation of NABU and SAP in 2014-2015 was part of the recommendations of the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund.
Opposition deputies like Alexei Goncharenko sharply criticized the president, questioning the logic of the initial restriction and subsequent restoration of powers. On social networks, Zelenskyy called for national unity and respect for different positions.
Ukraine's Western partners are closely monitoring the situation's development, expressing concern about all attempts to interfere with the independence of anti-corruption institutions. This episode again drew attention to the importance of transparent governance in the context of European integration processes.