Ukraine Erupts: Zelensky’s Anti-Corruption Law Sparks Widespread Protests and International Alarm

Ukraine is currently engulfed in a wave of public outrage and international concern following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to sign a controversial law that significantly curtails the independence of the nation’s key anti-corruption bodies. The new legislation places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) under the direct control of the prosecutor general, an appointee of the president.

For two consecutive nights, Tuesday and Wednesday, thousands of Ukrainians have taken to the streets in Kyiv and other major cities including Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy, despite the ongoing threat of Russian aerial attacks. Protesters, many brandishing signs critical of the government, accuse Zelensky of undermining years of hard-won progress in fighting endemic corruption and veering towards authoritarianism. The demonstrations are reportedly the largest anti-government gatherings since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

The move has also drawn swift condemnation from Kyiv’s Western allies. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has requested “explanations” from the Ukrainian government, while officials from Germany and France have warned that the law jeopardizes Ukraine’s path towards European Union integration. Respect for the rule of law and robust anti-corruption measures are “core elements” of EU membership, a spokesman for Von der Leyen reiterated, emphasizing that “there cannot be a compromise.”

President Zelensky defended the bill, arguing that NABU and SAP had allowed criminal proceedings to stagnate and needed to be “cleansed from Russian influence.” However, critics, including the affected agencies themselves, contend that the law effectively dismantles their authority and effectiveness, potentially allowing high-profile figures close to the government to evade scrutiny. The creation of NABU and SAP was a key requirement for Ukraine’s closer ties with the West, including the relaxation of visa restrictions and its recent EU candidate status. Observers fear this latest development could severely damage Ukraine’s international standing and its aspirations for closer European integration.

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