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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking to reverse course after facing significant political backlash over new legislation that was perceived to weaken Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies. In response to mass protests and international criticism, Zelensky announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at restoring the independence of key institutions and simultaneously proposed increasing pay for Ukrainian soldiers.
The policy reversal followed the passing by Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, of a law that subordinated the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) to the Prosecutor General. This law threatened public trust, jeopardized Ukraine’s prospects for Western aid, and posed obstacles to its European Union accession ambitions at a time when Russian forces continue military offensives against Ukrainian cities.
Zelensky signed the bill on July 23 despite warnings from agency directors and civil society leaders that it would undermine hard-fought reforms since 2014. The law triggered nationwide protests, similar in scale to those during Russia’s full-scale invasion, led by veterans and activists who argued it reversed a decade of progress.
In response to mounting domestic and EU criticism, Zelensky acknowledged the backlash and announced on July 25 that he would submit a new bill to “restore the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies.” The proposed revision aims to strengthen the agencies’ independence, reestablish checks and balances, and introduce measures such as polygraph tests for law enforcement officers.
The turmoil around anti-corruption policy comes amid deadly Russian attacks in major cities, compounding fears about internal stability and standing with foreign partners. Additionally, Zelensky plans to ask European allies to help finance better salaries for troops resisting Russia’s invasion, stating that their service members themselves can be the weapon that protects everyone.
European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier stated: “These institutions are crucial to Ukraine’s reform agenda and must operate independently to fight corruption and maintain public trust. Ukraine’s EU accession will require a strong capacity to combat corruption and ensure institutional resilience. The EU will continue to monitor the situation and support Ukraine in upholding the rule of law.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized: “There must be more justice. Of course, NABU and SAPO will continue their work. It’s also important that the prosecutor general be committed to ensuring real accountability for those who break the law. This is what Ukraine truly needs.”
The fate of Zelensky’s proposed legislation remains with the Ukrainian parliament, where anti-corruption agencies and their leaders have called for prompt passage to ensure ongoing criminal investigations are unimpeded and Ukraine’s reform trajectory aligns with Western standards.
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What was the main reason for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce plans to introduce new legislation aimed at restoring the independence of key institutions?
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