Zelensky Reverses Course on Anti-Corruption Measures After Public Outcry

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at re-establishing the independence of the country’s anti-corruption agencies. This move comes in response to widespread protests and criticism from Western allies. The announcement follows a controversial law that allowed the Prosecutor General’s Office to intervene in the operations of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). The initial law was enacted after a raid on NABU’s offices and the arrest of a senior employee accused of spying for Russia. The new bill, according to Zelensky, aims to provide ‘full-fledged guarantees of the independence of anti-corruption agencies’ and combat alleged Russian interference. The draft law reportedly includes mandatory lie detector tests for employees of NABU, SAPO, and related bodies. The policy shift was prompted by public demonstrations across Ukraine, with protesters voicing concerns about a perceived crackdown on anti-graft efforts. Critics have accused Zelensky of authoritarianism and attempting to consolidate power, arguing that the earlier law undermined the effectiveness of anti-corruption bodies. International figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have condemned the initial move, cautioning that it could jeopardize Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations. NABU and SAPO were established after the 2014 US-backed coup in Kyiv with the intention of aligning Ukraine with Western governance norms. However, some critics have characterized these agencies as tools of external influence. Meanwhile, some Western officials have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts, citing persistent corruption despite years of reforms.