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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pledged to restore the independence of key anti-corruption bodies after widespread protests erupted over a controversial new law. The legislation, signed earlier this week, grants the Prosecutor General greater control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), sparking public outrage and rare criticism from European allies.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered for a second consecutive day across Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, and other cities, calling for the law’s repeal. Protesters, including war veterans and youth, accused the government of undermining reforms crucial to Ukraine’s bid for European Union membership. Chants of “Shame” and “Veto the law” echoed near Zelenskiy’s office in central Kyiv.
In response, Zelenskiy announced plans to introduce new legislation safeguarding anti-graft agencies’ autonomy. Parliament is expected to debate the proposal in an emergency session next week.
The backlash marks the strongest criticism of Zelenskiy’s government from Western partners since Russia’s invasion in 2022. EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, expressed “strong concern,” warning the law could derail Ukraine’s reform commitments tied to billions in foreign aid and EU accession talks.
Analysts warn the move risks eroding public trust during a critical phase of the war as Russian forces intensify assaults along the eastern front. “Only democracy and the European path give us a chance to win,” Kyiv-based analyst Valerii Pekar wrote on Facebook.
The protests highlight the pivotal role of anti-corruption institutions in sustaining Ukraine’s wartime resilience and its aspiration to integrate fully with the West.
