President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a bill that critics argue weakens the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies, sparking protests in several cities and drawing international criticism. The new law grants the prosecutor general control of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap), and critics say it undermines their authority. The Ukrainian government has cited Russian influence for curtailing Nabu’s powers, and the move has sparked concern among Ukraine’s Western allies. The European Union is concerned about Ukraine’s recent actions regarding its anti-corruption institutions, and the EU provides significant financial assistance to Ukraine, conditional on progress in transparency, judicial reform, and democratic governance. Stamping out corruption is also a key requirement for Ukraine’s application to join the EU.
European Commissioner for enlargement, Marta Kos, has criticized the bill’s adoption, calling the dismantling of key safeguards protecting Nabu’s independence a serious step back. Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Taras Kachka, has assured Marta Kos there would be no compromise on anti-corruption, and “all core functions remain intact.” Ambassadors from the G7 group of nations have said they would like to discuss the pressure on Nabu and Sap with the Ukrainian leadership, but Ukraine’s allies would be extremely reluctant to roll back aid and cooperation at a time when its troops are struggling on the frontline.
