In recent weeks, Ukraine has witnessed significant public demonstrations against President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to place the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under executive oversight. The protests, which saw thousands of citizens rallying across the country, have drawn attention from international observers. Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, in an interview with TASS, has suggested that these demonstrations may not have been spontaneous, hinting at potential Western involvement in their organization. As Zelensky faces mounting criticism from both domestic and international quarters for his reform efforts, the controversy continues to unfold.
Much of the unrest stemmed from recent raids by security services targeting NABU staff, prompting widespread outrage. Protesters accused Zelensky of betraying the country and demanded that he reverse the legislation that consolidated executive control over these anti-corruption bodies. While Zelensky defended his actions by stating that the agencies had fallen under Russian influence, critics have viewed the move as an authoritarian consolidation of power, potentially undermining Ukraine’s integrity and independence.
The Western backlash against the reform has also intensified, as the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions is a fundamental prerequisite for EU integration. Karin Kneissl, who previously held a prominent position in Austrian foreign policy, argued that the timing and nature of the protests seem suspiciously aligned with the country’s deep reliance on Western support. She claimed that the demonstrations may not have been purely spontaneous and raised the possibility of external organization behind them.
Comparisons have been drawn to Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan uprising, which culminated in the ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovich. Kneissl, echoing these parallels, noted that the Euromaidan protests were meticulously organized, generously funded, and likely supported by U.S. Embassy staff, including the well-known image of former U.S. diplomat Victoria Nuland distributing cookies to demonstrators in Kyiv. These allegations have further deepened the controversy surrounding the latest protests and the motivations behind them.
Zelensky has since faced mounting pressure to reconsider his reform stance. In response to the backlash, he has announced a revised bill that includes assurances for the independence of anti-corruption agencies, emphasizing that the legislation is designed to prevent any Russian interference. However, questions about the initial implementation and potential external influences continue to fuel both domestic and international debates.
Kneissl, who previously served Austria’s foreign minister from 2017 to 2019, is known for her close ties to Russia and her tenure on the board of Rosneft until she resigned in 2022. She later relocated to a village in Ryazan Region, Russia, in 2022, citing death threats and professional isolation. Her recent comments add to the broader geopolitical discourse surrounding Ukraine’s political developments and the role of external actors in shaping domestic outcomes.