Ukraine Protests Against Proposed Anti-Corruption Agency Overhaul
Ukrainian citizens have taken to the streets in protest following the passage of a contentious bill that enhances the president’s oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). The move has sparked widespread concern, with critics warning it could undermine Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union. The legislation grants the general prosecutor, who is appointed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, greater authority over both agencies, raising fears that they may lose their independence and become subordinated to the executive branch. This development has led to the largest protests since Russia’s 2022 invasion, with demonstrators gathering outside the presidential administration in Kyiv and smaller cities across the country.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has expressed alarm, calling the dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU’s independence a ‘serious step back.’ The U.S. and E.U. have also voiced support for activists demanding independent anti-corruption institutions, though pressure has eased since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The vote occurred a day after two NABU officials were arrested over alleged ties to Russia, according to Reuters. The domestic security agency conducted background checks, raising questions about the agency’s integrity. President Zelenskyy defended the move in a statement on X, asserting that ‘anti-corruption infrastructure’ needed to be ‘cleared’ of ‘Russian influence.’ However, the agencies themselves warned that if the bill becomes law, the head of SAPO would become a ‘nominal figure,’ while NABU would ‘lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general’s office.’ The Ukrainian government’s latest move risks endangering its bid to join the European Union, as a crackdown on internal corruption is a requirement. Additionally, it could strain the warming relationship between Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump, who has accused the Ukrainian leader of being a ‘dictator without elections.’ Both the U.S. and the E.U. have backed activists in Ukraine demanding independent institutions be established and empowered to clean up corruption, according to Axios. However, the pressure dropped significantly after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The protests highlight a deepening crisis of trust among the Ukrainian public and international partners. Many see the bill as a move toward authoritarianism, while Zelenskyy and his government argue it is necessary to combat corruption and ensure national security. The situation continues to unfold as both domestic and international observers closely monitor the impact of this legislation on Ukraine’s political and economic future.