Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a new legislative proposal in response to widespread public and international condemnation over a previous law that weakened Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions. The new bill, which will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, seeks to restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies and prevent Russian influence in law enforcement activities. Zelenskyy emphasized that the legislation will ensure the strength of Ukraine’s rule of law system and safeguard the impartiality of anti-corruption bodies.
Mass protests erupted in Kyiv and across Ukraine in opposition to the original law, which granted broad powers to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). Critics argued that the law undermined the independence of these agencies and allowed potential Russian interference, which many Western allies and Ukraine’s international partners had previously supported.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Zelenskyy to voice her concerns over the legislation, highlighting the European Union’s apprehensions about Ukraine’s path to membership. Anti-corruption experts warned that the previous bill could enable unchecked power for the Prosecutor General, potentially squashing accountability for corruption. Zelenskyy’s decision to backtrack and propose a revised bill has drawn mixed reactions, with some experts noting it may still damage his public image despite addressing concerns.
Analysts warn that the controversy risks fracturing Ukraine’s unity at a critical juncture in the war against Russia, as the country faces ongoing military pressure and the need for international support. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued to question Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, calling for new elections in Ukraine, which had been postponed due to the ongoing conflict.