Ukraine Faces Protests and Western Criticism Over Anti-Corruption Law Changes

Ukraine's government is facing mounting criticism after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed legislation that reduces the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap). The new law places both agencies under the authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.

The move has sparked protests in Kyiv and several other cities, with thousands gathering outside the president's office and smaller rallies reported in Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy. These demonstrations are the largest anti-government gatherings since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022.

Western partners have voiced concern over the changes. A spokesperson for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had requested explanations from the Ukrainian government, emphasizing that respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption are "core elements" of EU membership. "There cannot be a compromise," the spokesperson added.

President Zelensky defended the law, arguing that Nabu and Sap had allowed criminal proceedings to stagnate and needed to be "cleansed from Russian influence." The bill passed with the support of 263 out of 324 members of parliament. Critics, however, warn that the law could undermine the effectiveness of Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts and threaten the country's path toward European Union integration.

Nabu and Sap were established in 2014 as part of reforms linked to Ukraine's EU ambitions and have since led investigations into high-profile corruption cases. Ukraine currently ranks 105 out of 180 on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, an improvement since the agencies' creation. With the new law, both bodies will now operate under presidential oversight, raising concerns about the future independence of anti-corruption investigations.