Ukraine Moves to Restore Independence of Anti-Corruption Agencies

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The reversal of a controversial law signed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy followed public protests and EU pressure.

Ukraineโ€™s parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill restoring the independence of two key anti-corruption watchdogs, reversing President Volodymyr Zelenskyyโ€™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 Ukraineโ€™s prosecutor general authority over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutorโ€™s Office (SAPO).

The move triggered Ukraineโ€™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 agenciesโ€™ 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 โ€œrestores key safeguardsโ€ for the countriesโ€™ anti-corruption regulators.

โ€œThe Rada corrected last weekโ€™s damaging vote undermining NABUโ€™s & SAPOโ€™s independence. Todayโ€™s law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain. The EU supports [Ukrainian] citizensโ€™ demands for reform. Upholding fundamental values & fighting corruption must remain the priority,โ€ 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.

โ€œThis is a direct and responsible response to the expectations of Ukrainian society and our European partners. It confirms Ukraineโ€™s commitment to democratic governance, the rule of law, and institutional maturity,โ€ said Svyrydenko.

Kachka said the reform strengthening the rule of law remains a cornerstone to Ukraineโ€™s European future.

By Evgenia Filimianova

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