Ukraine’s reverse reaction grows after Zelenski strips of anti -corruption organs for independence

The Government of Ukraine is facing an increasing turn after President Volodimir Zelenski signed a law limiting the independence of two anti -corruption agencies.

The controversial bill provides control of the National Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Corruption (SAP) of the Prosecutor General, which was appointed by the President.

The protests began spontaneously in several cities on Tuesday, and were still planned for Wednesday night.

The Western allies of Kyiv expressed their dissatisfaction with the law. A spokesman for the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she had requested “explanations” from the Ukrainian government.

Zelenski claims that the provisions must be accepted as Nabu and SAP leave criminal proceedings to stagnate for years and insist that they should be “cleaned of Russian influence”.

He signed the bill late on Tuesday after receiving the support of 263 MPs from 324.

Many Ukrainians outside Parliament – Rada – do not agree with the decision. Critics say the law will seriously undermine the authority and effectiveness of NABU and SAP.

On Tuesday night, thousands gathered in front of the President’s office in Kiev to protest.

The smaller rallies were also held in Odessa, Denpro, Lviv and sums – despite the constant threat of nighttime Russian air attacks. The gatherings have been the largest anti-government demonstrations since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The fight against corruption is seen as closely linked to Kiev’s prospects for integration within the EU-road that began in 2014, when anti-government protests removed President Victor Jankovic in favor of closer relationships with the West.

The creation of NABU and SAP was one of the requirements set by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund more than a decade ago to focus on the visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU.

In 2022, Kiev received the covenant status of the EU candidate – a significant development that strengthened the spirits and strengthened the connections between Ukraine and its European supporters.

Now there is a concern for Zelenski the move can undermine the growing closeness of Kiev in the West – a reason that many Ukrainians believe that their country continues to pay the price of Russian pressure. “Corruption lives – the future is dying,” said Kiev’s protest.

Von der Leyen spokesman reiterated that respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption are the “basic elements” of EU membership – and that as a party to the candidates, Ukraine was expected to maintain these standards. “There can be no compromise,” he added.

The graft in Ukraine is endemic, and currently the country is 105 out of 180 in the index for the perception of Corruption of Transparency International. The assessment may be low – but it still has an improvement of 39 points, as NABU and SAP were created in 2014.

Since then, the two bodies have been involved in distant investigations into illegal misappropriation of assets and bribes of millions of dollars in various ministries and sectors.

In 2023, a joint investigation has led to Arrest of the head of the Supreme Court of UkraineVsevolod Kniaziev, in connection with $ 3 million (£ 2.4 million; 2.9 million euros) bribe. Earlier this month, NBU appeared and searched at the residence of former Defense Minister Olexia Reenikov.

Now Nabu and SAP will have to work under the supervision of the president, which makes some wonder if high -profile figures close to the government will avoid control. By limiting the independence of the bodies, the government has “destroyed everything that has been working on for years,” a protester in Kiev told Radio Liberty.

Despite the national ban on mass martial laws, more protests were expected in an even more number of cities in Ukraine on Wednesday night.

The “scandalous” law, adopted on Tuesday, has struck a critical blow to the European integration process of Ukraine, said the website of Ukraine Pravda, while another exit, Zerkalo Tihnika, warned that Zelenski had made a “step towards authoritarianism.”

The distinguished war veteran Massey Naym said to his 54,000 Facebook followers that he had joined the Kiev protests as a “duty” to the victims of the Russian War. “I fought for the nation, for the people and the democratic system,” he added.

European allies also sounded alarm bells. The legislation “made it difficult for Ukraine to the EU,” said German Foreign Minister Johan Vadeful and European Affairs Minister Benjamin Hadad urged Kiev to annul his decision.

But on Wednesday, after meeting with Nabu and SAP representatives, Zelenski doubled. He acknowledged the protests and promised the creation of a joint plan to combat corruption within two weeks – but also emphasized the need for unity against “Russian occupiers”.

In a joint statement, the two agencies pulled away and said they were deprived of guarantees that allow them to effectively fight corruption. They also thanked the Ukrainians for their “principled position, active support and concern.”

On Wednesday, it became the beginning of the third round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. But the attention of many Ukrainians was firm on the new bill – and not just because there was little specific hope for progress in Moscow or Kiev.

“This is the lawlessness of the government,” a LVIV resident called Lisa before Radio Liberty. “We do not want to fight with both Russia and our government.”