Protests in Ukraine as Zelensky signs bill targeting anti-corruption bodies

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a new bill into law, triggering widespread protests and international criticism over its potential impact on the country’s anti-corruption institutions.

The legislation is seen by critics as a step backward in Ukraine’s democratic progress and fight against graft.

The newly signed law grants expanded authority to the prosecutor general, allowing them greater oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap).

These agencies were established after the 2014 Euromaidan revolution to promote transparency and accountability in governance.

Zelensky, in a national address defending the bill, claimed the changes are necessary to root out “Russian influence” within the anti-corruption system.

He insisted that the law would not derail the agencies but would instead “restore order” and ensure that justice is not delayed.

Despite the president’s assurances, the move sparked a wave of demonstrations across the country.

The largest protest took place in the capital, Kyiv, where hundreds gathered to voice their discontent, accusing the government of undermining Ukraine’s democratic institutions.

Placards at the protests carried strong messages such as “We chose Europe, not autocracy,” and “My father did not die for this,” reflecting the deep frustration among many citizens who see the law as a betrayal of the principles for which Ukrainians have fought.

Under the new provisions, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, a close Zelensky ally, will have the power to reassign or terminate corruption investigations. Critics fear this could open the door to political interference and weaken judicial independence.

Zelensky justified the changes by criticising delays in major corruption cases. He pointed out that numerous investigations involving billions in state funds had been stalled for years without explanation, calling for swift and certain punishment for offenders.

However, opposition figures and civil society organisations argue that the reforms threaten Ukraine’s progress in building strong, independent institutions. They say the law represents a rollback of gains made since the ousting of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.

Shortly before the bill passed, the Security Service of Ukraine and the prosecutor general’s office conducted a series of arrests targeting alleged Russian spies within Nabu. Officials say this justified the need for tighter oversight of the agency.

The developments have alarmed Ukraine’s Western allies, who helped finance and shape the country’s anti-corruption architecture over the past decade. Those bodies were seen as critical to unlocking international aid and progressing towards European Union membership.

Reacting to the news, European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier expressed deep concern over the law, stressing that continued EU financial support hinges on Ukraine’s commitment to transparency and democratic reforms.

European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, was more direct in her criticism. In a social media post, she warned that dismantling safeguards protecting Nabu’s independence “is a serious step back” and could derail Ukraine’s EU accession efforts.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, sought to calm fears, saying the law would not compromise the country’s anti-corruption mission.

He insisted that the “core functions” of the agencies remain intact.

Still, prominent voices within Ukraine remain sceptical. Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the decision “a bad day for Ukraine” and said the president had missed an opportunity to align himself fully with the people’s will.

G7 ambassadors have requested meetings with Ukrainian officials to address their growing concerns. While international partners are unlikely to reduce support amid the ongoing war with Russia, they are urging Ukraine to uphold the values it has promised to defend.

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