Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Independence Jeopardized by Lawmakers, EU Raises Alarm
Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Independence Jeopardized by Lawmakers, EU Raises Alarm
Ukrainian lawmakers have passed a controversial bill effectively dismantling the independence of the nation’s key anti-corruption agencies, drawing immediate and strong condemnation from the European Union. Semen Kryvonos, Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), sharply criticized the move, stating, “Anti-corruption infrastructure was just destroyed by our own lawmakers. In fact, this is not only a conflict of interest but also a threat to Ukraine’s EU integration.”
The vote followed a series of raids conducted by Ukraine’s SBU state security service on NABU offices earlier this week, reportedly part of an investigation into suspected collusion with Russian spies – an action that occurred just prior to the contentious bill’s passage.
Brussels has swiftly reacted with deep concern. On Tuesday afternoon, a European Commission spokesperson, Guillaume Mercier, underscored the critical role of these institutions for Ukraine’s reform agenda. “These institutions are crucial to Ukraine’s reform agenda and must operate in an independent way to fight corruption and maintain public trust,” Mercier stated, emphasizing that significant EU financial assistance is conditional on progress in transparency, judicial reform, and democratic governance. He added that Ukraine’s accession to the EU necessitates a robust capacity to combat corruption and ensure institutional resilience.
Echoing these sentiments, EU enlargement chief Marta Kos reiterated that the independence of anti-corruption agencies is paramount for Ukraine’s European aspirations, labeling the recent legislative changes as “a serious step back.” The move threatens to complicate Ukraine’s path towards full EU membership at a critical juncture for the war-torn nation.
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