Zelenski announces a new draft Act on anti -corruption authorities after protests

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski says he has approved the text of a draft law guaranteeing the freedom of two anti -corruption authorities in Ukraine – days after national protests have erupted over changes that limit their independence.

The Western partners of Kyiv also expressed serious concerns about the legislation.

On Thursday, Zelenski seemed to be withdrawing, saying that the new bill was aimed to protect the independence of the national struggle to combat corruption of Ukraine and the Special Prosecutor’s Office to combat corruption (SAP) and to protect them from Russian influence.

He said the text of the bill was “balanced” but did not provide any details.

The law, adopted this week, passed Nabu and SAP under the control of the Prosecutor General, who was appointed by the President.

At a time when Zelenski justified his decision to limit the powers of bodies by citing Russian influence. The previous day, the security services of Ukraine carried out searches and arrests aimed at suspected Russian spies at the agency.

Acceptance of the legislation instantly provoked the biggest protests since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia in February 2022 in several cities in Ukraine, with many worried that the law will seriously undermine Nabu and the authority and effectiveness of SAP.

Thousands gathered on the streets and squares in UkraineRetention of signs calling for legislation to be veto.

Several commentators have accused Zelenski of democratic retreat. Their concerns were further exacerbated when the Western partners of Ukraine signaled their dissatisfaction with the bill.

Ukraine has the official status of an EU candidate and a spokesman for the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has previously warned Kiev that the rule of law and the fight against corruption are the “basic elements” of the membership of the block.

On Thursday, the committee said it “welcomed” the decision of the Ukrainian government to take action against the bill.

“We are working (with the Ukrainian government) to make sure our concerns … are really considering,” the spokesman said.

NABU and SAP were established in 2014-15 as one of the requirements set by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund to focus on relaxing visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU.

Writing on Facebook, opposition MP Olexi Goncharenko noted that Zelenski said “the independence of anti -corruption institutions should be guaranteed.”

“We take it first and then we say that it must be guaranteed. So why was all this necessary?”

In his message on social media on Thursday, Zelenski did not recognize the protests or the reaction, but said it was “important to respect the position of all Ukrainians and we are grateful to all who stand with Ukraine.”