Zelensky backtracks on anti-corruption agencies law after protests and EU backlash

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that he had approved draft legislation to restore the independence of Ukraine’s two key anti-corruption agencies — following days of protests against an initial law that aimed to tighten government control over them.

Writing on X, Zelensky said the new draft bill was “well-balanced” and would now guarantee the “real strengthening of Ukraine’s law enforcement system, independence of anti-corruption agencies, and reliable protection of the law enforcement system against any Russian influence or interference”.

The reversal came after widespread backlash against the initial version of the law, which stripped the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) of their autonomy and granted Ukraine’s prosecutor general — who is appointed by the president — sweeping powers over both bodies, including the authority to reassign and close ongoing corruption cases.

Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed that law on Tuesday, sparking the most significant anti-government protests in the country — which is still under martial law — since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and drawing criticism from Kyiv’s Western allies.

In a joint statement on Thursday, NABU and SAPO said they had helped to draft the new bill, which they stressed would restore “all procedural powers and guarantees of independence” to both agencies.

The changes were also welcomed by the European Commission, with a spokesperson telling reporters on Thursday that the body was working with Zelensky’s government to ensure that its “concerns regarding the fight against corruption” in Ukraine were “correctly addressed”.

“We provide significant financial support to Ukraine and this is conditional to progress and transparency, judicial reform and democratic governance”, the spokesperson added.

On Tuesday, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos had condemned the initial law as a “serious step back” for Ukraine, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reportedly then raising the bloc’s “strong concerns” and demanding “explanations” in a call with Zelensky on Wednesday.

Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk confirmed on Thursday that the Verkhovna Rada had received the new bill and that it would be reviewed at its next plenary session. While the parliament is currently in recess until the end of August, several MPs suggested that the review could take place as early as next week.