On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that places previously independent anti-corruption agencies under executive control.
The move is the latest sign of the presidential administration’s efforts to concentrate power in the hands of a small circle of close allies. Critics fear that Zelensky’s team may use the special powers granted by martial law for their own benefit.
On Tuesday, mass street protests broke out in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The protests were triggered by the hasty adoption of the law, which demonstrators say undermines democratic oversight.
What changes does the new law on anti-corruption oversight introduce?
Under the new law, the Prosecutor General’s Office—whose head is appointed by the president—gains direct control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), two key institutions previously considered independent.
NABU is responsible for investigating corruption within government bodies, while SAP oversees the legality and substantiation of the criminal cases initiated by the bureau.
Even before the law was signed, NABU posted a statement on Telegram detailing the new powers granted to the Prosecutor General. These include full access to all NABU case materials, the right to issue binding instructions to investigators, the ability to reassign cases to other bodies if orders are not followed, and the power to close investigations.
"If the law is enacted, the head of SAP will become a nominal figure, and NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the Prosecutor General’s Office," the statement reads. The bureau warns that the new regulation "could ultimately destroy the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption system."
What Are the Risks of Giving the Prosecutor General Control Over NABU and SAP?
Transferring oversight of institutions investigating corruption within the government to a political appointee close to Zelensky—Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko—could undermine both the independence and the credibility of these investigations, critics of the law argue.
How Does Volodymyr Zelensky Respond to Criticism and Protests Over the Law?
In a video address on Tuesday evening after signing the law, Volodymyr Zelensky showed no intention of making concessions despite the criticism and protests.
"The anti-corruption infrastructure will continue to operate—but without Russian influence, which must be eliminated," the president said. He added that NABU and SAP will carry on their work, and the Prosecutor General is determined to ensure "the inevitability of punishment for those who break the law."
The statement about Russian influence came amid searches conducted the day before by Ukraine’s Security Service targeting NABU employees suspected of links to Russian intelligence.
Zelensky also criticized the work of NABU and SAP. In his video message, he implied that he would not back down despite the wave of criticism and street protests.
"The anti-corruption infrastructure will operate—but cleansed of Russian influence," he said. "NABU and SAP will certainly continue their work… The Prosecutor General is committed to ensuring that all who violate the law face inevitable punishment."
The mention of "Russian influence" followed the Security Service’s Monday searches of NABU staff suspected of connections with Russia.
Zelensky also expressed dissatisfaction with NABU and SAP’s performance, hinting at delays in several cases. "Investigations that have been stalled for years must be brought to completion," he said. "There is no logical explanation for why billion-dollar criminal proceedings remain unresolved for many years."
Meanwhile, an audit of NABU this year, conducted by Transparency International Ukraine, rated the bureau as "moderately effective." The expert panel noted political pressure influence and pointed to systemic issues—including lack of ongoing monitoring of priority cases, limited authority for independent wiretapping, and restricted access to operational forensic expertise.
On Wednesday morning, Zelensky reported holding a meeting with leaders of all law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, including NABU, SAP, and the Prosecutor General. "We all hear what society is saying. We see what people expect from state institutions: fairness and effective performance from each of them," he stated, giving no hint of reconsidering the decisions.
How Do NABU and SAP Respond to Restrictions on Their Independence?
Despite meeting with the president, NABU and SAP continue to insist on repealing the law, which, in their assessment, significantly limits their independence.
"From this moment, NABU and SAP are deprived of the guarantees that previously allowed them to effectively carry out tasks in combating high-level corruption," their joint statement says. According to the anti-corruption bodies, restoring their full and autonomous functioning requires "clear and unambiguous legislative steps" to reinstate the guarantees revoked by parliament.
In the same statement, NABU and SAP expressed gratitude to Ukrainian citizens for their "principled stance, active support, and concern."
Critics argue that the evidence presented against NABU staff remains unclear, and that Monday’s arrests were merely a pretext to discredit the anti-corruption agency.
NABU’s published statement asserts that the adopted amendments "effectively destroy the independence of NABU and SAP by subordinating their activities to the Prosecutor General."
Recalling the extensive anti-corruption efforts launched after the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, NABU emphasizes: "If implemented, the law will dismantle the anti-corruption infrastructure built since 2015."
The bureau thanked citizens for participating in protests against the reforms, noting: "We will continue our work and defend the independence of our investigations from any interference."
In an earlier statement regarding Monday’s searches, NABU stressed: "The risk of influence agents from the aggressor remains relevant for any state body. However, this cannot justify suspending the entire institution’s work."
What Does Prosecutor General Kravchenko Say About Subordinating Anti-Corruption Bodies?
Kravchenko, appointed by Zelensky as Prosecutor General just a month ago, insisted on maintaining the independence of the anti-corruption bodies.
"They do not report to me," he said during a Tuesday briefing, referring to both agencies. Regarding the prosecutors from SAP, he added: "We are one family. They handle their criminal cases, we handle ours, and together we will support each other."
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How Did European Officials and Ukraine’s Allies React to the Law?
Two members of the European Commission, typically seen as staunch supporters of Ukraine, took an unusual step on Tuesday—publicly criticizing Kyiv authorities for passing the law.
Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos expressed "serious concern," emphasizing that "the elimination of key guarantees ensuring NABU’s independence is a significant step backward."
Meanwhile, Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, who was in Washington seeking U.S. support for Ukraine, noted: "In times of war, trust between a country at war and its leadership is more important than modern weapons—it is hard to build and maintain, but easily lost through one serious mistake by leaders."
He added that "transparency and open European dialogue are the only way to restore lost trust."
France’s Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad said in a French radio interview: "It is not too late for Ukrainians to reconsider this decision."
In a joint statement, the ambassadors of the G7 countries, members of the group supporting Ukraine, expressed "serious concern" and an intention to discuss recent developments with government leaders.
"It is a difficult day for Ukraine," wrote Dmytro Kuleba, former Ukrainian foreign minister who was dismissed in 2024, on Instagram Tuesday just hours before Zelensky signed the law.
What Are the Potential Consequences of These Changes for Ukraine’s European Integration?
Ukraine’s allies within the European Union are sounding the alarm, warning that any backsliding on rule-of-law reforms could seriously complicate Kyiv’s bid for EU membership—a key goal for the war-affected country.
"Independent bodies like NABU and SAP are a necessary condition for Ukraine’s European path. The rule of law remains central to EU accession talks," Marta Kos stressed on Tuesday.
She later added that she had held "frank" discussions with the new Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and the EU integration chief Taras Kachka. "We will continue cooperation with Ukraine on necessary rule-of-law reforms and progress toward EU membership," Kos noted on social media.
Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp, supporting Kos’s position, wrote in a post: "Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions are vital for its reforms. Limiting them would be a serious step backward. Maintaining the independence of these bodies and further progress on the rule of law are key conditions for Ukraine’s EU accession."
Germany’s Foreign Ministry also commented on the situation, noting: "The independence and strength of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions have been the foundation of reforms in recent years. Ukraine will be judged by their results."
A delegation from the European Parliament’s Budgetary Control Committee, currently on a two-day visit to Kyiv, warned in a statement that the Ukrainian law "risks undermining the independence of NABU and SAP." "The independence of anti-corruption bodies is key to their success," the lawmakers emphasized.
While expressing support for Ukraine, they added: "Alongside the necessity of fighting corruption, it is important to uphold the rule of law—a fundamental requirement for the EU accession process."
What Steps Is the Opposition Taking to Repeal the Law?
The law, passed by the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, has already come into effect. However, some opposition lawmakers are seeking its repeal.
Yaroslav Zheleznyak of the liberal party Holos stated on social media that on Wednesday he plans to appeal to international organizations—including the EU, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank—requesting pressure on Zelensky’s government to reconsider the measures.
According to him, deputies intend to introduce a bill to repeal the current law, although they acknowledge the chances of success are slim. They also plan to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court demanding annulment of the document.
"Moreover, there is the issue of public resonance. The presidential administration expected that by today everyone would have forgotten. But I don’t think they anticipated the kind of reaction we saw yesterday," Zheleznyak noted.
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