Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has come under fire after signing a bill that strips two key anti-corruption agencies of their autonomy.
The move has triggered rare mass protests in Kyiv and backlash from the European Union.
Hundreds have taken to the streets in the capital to rebuke the legislation in a public display of anger that has not been seen since the start of Russia‘s invasion.
Critics now say the law will hand sweeping control to Zelensky and permit political interference in corruption investigations.
The European Union has branded the president’s decision a ‘serious step back’ with a senior official suggesting it could jeopardise the country’s hopes of joining the bloc.
Writing on X, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos condemned the vote, saying independent anti-corruption institutions were ‘essential for Ukraine’s EU path’.
She said: ‘Seriously concerned over today’s vote. The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU’s independence is a serious step back.’
On Wednesday, Zelenksy broke his silence on the backlash he has received in a social media post.
The move has triggered rare mass protests in Kyiv and a furious backlash from the European Union
Hundreds have taken to the streets in the capital to rebuke the legislation
An NGO has warned the bill would gut both bodies, saying the prosecutor general would ‘stop investigations into all of the president’s friends
Writing after a meeting with officials of the anti-corruption bodies at the centre of the controversy, he said: ‘We all share a common enemy: the Russian occupiers.
‘And defending the Ukrainian state requires a strong enough law enforcement and anti-corruption system — one that ensures a real sense of justice.
‘Criminal proceedings must not drag on for years without lawful verdicts. And those who work against Ukraine must not feel comfortable or immune to the inevitability of punishment.
He added: ‘We agreed that everyone would work solely in a constructive manner. We all hear what society is saying. We see what people expect from state institutions — ensured justice and the effective functioning of each institution.
‘We discussed the necessary administrative and legislative decisions that would strengthen the work of each institution, resolve existing contradictions, and eliminate threats. Everyone will work together. At the political level, we will provide support.’
Despite the statement, the president did not announce a reversal of the legislation.
The law, approved by 263 votes to 13 in Ukraine’s parliament, will place the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under the authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.
NABU is tasked with investigating corruption in public institutions, while SAPO handles prosecution.
In a statement, the president said he had met with officials of the anti-corruption bodies at the centre of the controversy but he didn’t announce a reversal of the law
Protesters gathered outside government buildings to voice their outrage, and erupted in boos and jeers when news broke that it had been signed
Critics help up signs to protest against the law, which critics say will hand sweeping control to Zelensky and permit political interference in corruption investigations
The Anti-Corruption Action Centre, an NGO, warned the bill would gut both bodies, saying the prosecutor general would ‘stop investigations into all of the president’s friends’.
Protesters gathered outside government buildings to voice their outrage, and erupted in boos and jeers when news broke that it had been signed.
A European diplomat speaking anonymously told reporters the decision was ‘unfortunate’.
According to the AFP, the official said: ‘Is it a setback? Yes. Is this a point of non-return? No.’
Meanwhile, the country’s former foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, who resigned from the government in 2024, called it a ‘bad day for Ukraine’.
He said: ‘Now the President has a choice – to stand on the side of the people or not.’
Just a day before the vote, law enforcement raided NABU’s offices, detaining an employee accused of spying for Russia.
Transparency International’s office in Ukraine described the raids as an ‘attempt by the authorities to undermine the independence of Ukraine’s post-Revolution of Dignity anti-corruption institutions.’
The country’s former foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, who resigned from the government in 2024, called it a ‘bad day for Ukraine
Ukraine ranked 105th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2024 corruption perceptions index, a notable improvement from 144th in 2013.
The nation’s recent anti-corruption drive has been central to its push for EU membership and a condition for receiving support from Western allies.
