Ukraine Erupts in Protests Over Bill Curbing Anti-Corruption Agencies

In a dramatic turn of events, Ukraine is witnessing its largest protests since the 2022 Russian invasion, sparked by a controversial bill that critics say undermines the independence of key anti-corruption bodies. The legislation, recently passed, hands significant control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) to the general prosecutor—a position appointed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself. This has set off alarm bells, with thousands taking to the streets in Kyiv and beyond, demanding accountability.

The timing couldn’t be more precarious. Just a day before the vote, two NABU officials were arrested over alleged ties to Russia, raising eyebrows about the motives behind this power shift. NABU and SAPO have issued a stark warning, stating that this bill could reduce their autonomy to mere window dressing, turning them into puppets of the prosecutor general’s office. It’s a gut punch to efforts to root out corruption—a core condition for Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union.

Zelenskyy, facing mounting pressure, took to social media to defend his stance, emphasizing the need to purge Russian influence from Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure. After high-stakes meetings with top law enforcement and agency heads, he insisted that a robust system is vital to defend the state. Yet, his words have done little to quell the outrage. Even the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, has called this a serious step backward, casting a shadow over Ukraine’s international standing.

This move risks more than just domestic unrest. With the U.S. and E.U. historically pushing for independent anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine, the bill could strain Zelenskyy’s warming ties with global leaders, including President Donald Trump, who has already criticized the Ukrainian leader’s governance style. As protesters chant for justice, the question looms: is this a genuine attempt to protect national security, or a power grab disguised as patriotism?