The reversal of a controversial law signed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy followed public protests and EU pressure.
Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill restoring the independence of two key anti-corruption watchdogs, reversing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s contentious move earlier this month that had sparked protests and concern from European officials.
The bill, now submitted to Zelenskyy, passed with 331 votes in favor and none against. It reverses legislation signed last week that had granted Ukraine’s prosecutor general authority over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
The move triggered Ukraine’s most serious political crisis since the beginning of the war in 2022 and saw Ukrainians stage street protests against the legislation.
The restoration of the agencies’ independence comes as Kyiv continues to push for membership in the European Union, which has made rule-of-law reforms a key condition of accession.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who raised the issue with Ukrainian officials last week, said on Thursday that the new bill “restores key safeguards” for the countries’ anti-corruption regulators.
“The Rada corrected last week’s damaging vote undermining NABU’s & SAPO’s independence. Today’s law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain. The EU supports [Ukrainian] citizens’ demands for reform. Upholding fundamental values & fighting corruption must remain the priority,” she said on X.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and her deputy for European integration, Taras Kachka, welcomed the parliamentary approval of the new bill on Thursday.
“This is a direct and responsible response to the expectations of Ukrainian society and our European partners. It confirms Ukraine’s commitment to democratic governance, the rule of law, and institutional maturity,” said Svyrydenko.
Kachka said the reform strengthening the rule of law remains a cornerstone to Ukraine’s European future.
