Zelensky dismantles independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, sparking outrage and EU membership concerns

By kevinhughes // 2025-07-25

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill subordinating Ukraine's independent anti-corruption agencies (NABU and SAPO) to the Prosecutor General's office, effectively placing them under executive control. This reverses a 2015 Western-backed reform designed to combat high-level corruption.
The bill sparked protests across Ukrainian cities, with citizens and European leaders condemning it as a setback for democracy. The EU warned it jeopardizes Ukraine's path to membership, citing the need for independent anti-corruption institutions.
Critics allege the bill aims to shield Zelensky's allies from ongoing corruption investigations, including cases involving his inner circle. NABU's chief called the move a "destruction of independence" that enables political interference.
The move has drawn parallels to Viktor Yanukovych's corrupt regime, with journalists and historians labeling it a "coup" against democratic principles. The bill's erosion of institutional checks risks a return to autocratic practices.
Kyiv's EU accession prospects are now in jeopardy, as anti-corruption reforms were a key requirement. Lawmakers warn the bill undermines democratic credibility, forcing the EU to reassess Ukraine's integration potential.

In a move that has sent shockwaves across Ukraine and drawn sharp criticism from international allies, President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a controversial bill effectively dismantling the independence of the country's key anti-corruption agencies. Critics argue that the decision undermines years of democratic progress and jeopardizes Ukraine's European Union aspirations. The move has also sparked widespread protests and raised concerns about a return to authoritarianism. The Verkhovna Rada – Ukraine's parliament, passed a bill Tuesday, July 22, that subordinates the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) to the authority of the Prosecutor-General of Ukraine. This legislative overhaul marks a significant shift from the agencies' previously independent status, which was established in 2015 as part of a Western-backed reform agenda aimed at combating endemic corruption. The bill grants the prosecutor-general, a political appointee of the president, the power to oversee and interfere in anti-corruption investigations. This includes the authority to reassign cases to more compliant investigators and even to close investigations altogether. Critics argue that this move will make it nearly impossible for the agencies to investigate high-level corruption without the approval of Zelensky's administration. The passage of the bill ignited protests in several Ukrainian cities including the capital Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro and Odesa. Demonstrators have expressed their outrage, with one protester holding a sign that read, "We chose Europe, not autocracy." Another lamented, "My father did not die for this." European leaders have also voiced their concerns. "The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back," said Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement. "Independent bodies like NABU and SAPO are essential for Ukraine's EU path." European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier likewise criticized the change. "Ukraine's EU accession will require a strong capacity to combat corruption and to ensure institutional resilience," he emphasized. Meanwhile, ambassadors from member countries of the Group of Seven have expressed their desire to discuss the issue with Ukrainian leadership.

NABU chief describes move as "destruction of the independence"

Critics argue that the timing of the bill's passage is no coincidence, as it follows a series of high-profile corruption cases targeting Zelensky's inner circle. These include a bribery and abuse of power case against Deputy Chief of Staff Oleh Tatarov and an embezzlement case involving a relative of Timur Mindich, a film producer and co-owner of Zelensky's production company Kvartal 95. (Related: Zelensky and his cronies are trying to cover up a major corruption scandal in Ukraine – what role is the US playing?) NABU Chief Semen Kryvonos described the legislation as a "destruction of the independence" of the anti-corruption agencies, warning that it would expose investigations to political influence and pressure. He urged Zelensky to veto the bill, a plea that fell on deaf ears. The move has drawn comparisons to the authoritarian rule of former President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted during the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution. Investigative journalist Yury Nikolov told the Kyiv Independent, "We've gone back to the times of Yanukovych, which I always considered the peak of corruption in Ukraine." Ukrainian historian Yaroslav Hrytsak described the bill as a "coup d'etat — not in terms of a government change but in terms of the principles on which a government should operate." He added, "A sound state cherishes the independence of its institutions. This one curtails it." Inna Sovsun, a lawmaker from the Holos party, told the Kyiv Independent that the bill is "a fundamental shift that strikes at the heart of democracy." She added, "It's something the EU can't afford to ignore, and it will impact how Ukraine is perceived, including our prospects for integration." Visit Corruption.news for more similar stories. Watch this clip about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky laundering Western aid money into luxury real estate. This video is from the Bulgarianinsider channel on Brighteon.com.

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NABU chief describes move as "destruction of the independence"

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