Protests in Ukraine after Zelensky approves bill curbing autonomy of anti-corruption agencies
Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday passed amendments to allow the country's general prosecutor, appointed by the president, strict control over two anti-corruption bodies – the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sapo).
President Zelensky, whose party holds a majority in parliament, approved the amendments late on Tuesday. The changes would allow the general prosecutor to transfer cases from the agencies and reassign prosecutors.
The move has alarmed the country as this could result in granting more power to Ukraine's chief prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko, also seen as a Zelensky loyalist, to reassign corruption probes to investigators of their preference.
Shortly after the bill was cleared in parliament, hundreds of people gathered in Kyiv carried placards to protest. Protests also broke out in other cities like Dnipro, Lviv and Odesa.
'We chose Europe, not autocracy,' read one placard by a demonstrator. Another read: 'My father did not die for this.'
The vote was denounced on social media as a betrayal of Ukraine's decade-long geopolitical ambition. The protests echoed the long-standing sentiment of fighting corruption in Ukraine as critical to erasing a legacy of Russian rule.
Large protest in Kyiv tonight, the first signs of public dissent against Zelenskyy's government since the full scale invasion, as demonstrators rally against the passing of a bill stripping anti-corruption bodies of their powers pic.twitter.com/xcMiXLAhRc
— Oz Katerji (@OzKaterji) July 22, 2025
Vladyslava Kirstyuk, 18, said memories of her childhood in occupied eastern Ukraine, after Russia's covert invasion in 2014, left a strong impression.
"I know what it means for one person to have all the power, when nothing is transparent and everything is working against you," she said. "I don't want it to be the same for us here."
Mr Zelensky also said he had spoken to Nabu chief Semen Kryvonos and other top prosecutors.
Mr Kryvonos had urged the Ukrainian president to not sign the fast-tracked bill, which he called an attempt to "destroy" Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure.
The two agencies – Nabu and Sapo were set up in the country after the 2014 Maidan revolution toppled a pro-Russian president and set Kyiv on a Western course. They are credited for their work to tackle corruption and graft in Ukraine during the war, levelling charges against lawmakers, ministers and a former deputy head of Zelensky's administration.
Happening now: The largest protest of wartime Ukraine is underway in central Kyiv over President Zelensky's push to dismantle the country's independent anticorruption agencies. Thousands of protesters and more pouring in. Chants of 'Shame!' among others. They demand Zelensky veto… pic.twitter.com/ojEiEuLPNv
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) July 22, 2025
'Last week, we ran an editorial warning of an anti-democratic backslide in Ukraine. Today, it's happening in plain sight. This isn't what our people have been fighting and dying for, and it's devastatingly unfair to them,' said Olga Rudenko, the chief editor of Ukrainian publication The Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine is also facing backlash from anti-graft campaigners who have been alarmed since the government charged a top anti-corruption activist this month with fraud and evading military service. The move has been dubbed as political retribution by authorities for exposing corrupt officials.
Rooting out endemic corruption and graft is critical for Ukraine to join the European Union and also a key condition to receive western aid at a time the country is battered by war.
The European Union enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said she was "seriously concerned" by Tuesday's vote.
"The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back," she said, adding that rule of law was at "the very centre" of EU accession talks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
8 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Mamdani Handed Stark Warning by Josh Shapiro Ahead of NYC Mayoral Election
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Democratic mayoral primary winner and New York state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani was issued a stark warning by Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on Wednesday, saying that if Mamdani's supporters spout antisemitic rhetoric, "you can't leave room for that to just sit there. You've got to condemn that." Newsweek reached out to the mayoral candidate's campaign via email Wednesday night for comment. Why It Matters The rebuke arrives at a pivotal moment not just for Mamdani's campaign, but as Democrats nationwide wrestle with internal divisions over Israel policy, rising anti-Jewish hate and endorsement strategies, all holding significance for the 2026 midterm cycle. Jewish communities and party leaders are watching these developments closely as political rhetoric and policy stances on antisemitism become central campaign issues. Mamdani's surge has intensified debate within the Democratic Party over its future direction, as his platform sharply contrasts with those of more centrist and establishment-aligned figures. Unlike establishment Democrats—who have historically championed incremental reforms and avoided expansive tax policies targeting high-earners—Mamdani has proposed increasing taxes on residents earning more than $1 million annually, raising corporate tax rates and implementing a citywide rent freeze. These positions are central to his campaign, which he has framed around affordability, housing justice and public investment in services such as free child care and public transportation. As Mamdani awaits critical Democratic backing, he sat down with business leaders this month, where he said he would discourage the phrase "globalize the intifada," according to The New York Times, citing three people familiar with discussions. What To Know While speaking to Jewish Insider, Shapiro took a swipe at Mamdani, saying, "He seemed to run a campaign that excited New Yorkers. He also seemed to run a campaign where he left open far too much space for extremists to either use his words or for him to not condemn the words of extremists that said some blatantly antisemitic things." The assemblyman and democratic socialist has yet to secure key backing from Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also of New York, ahead of the November election. The Democratic governor said he is "concerned that support for Israel in the United States broadly is down compared to what it was a decade ago." He later added that "There are policies of the [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu government that I don't support. I've been very vocal about that. But there's a difference between not supporting the policies of whoever's in charge at a particular time, and the underlying notion of a Jewish state of Israel." "I do think it is important to strengthen people's understanding of Israel and the relationship America should have with Israel and to strengthen that bond," Shapiro said. The governor also handed out a piece of advice to Mamdani and any future leader: "You have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters of yours say things that are blatantly antisemitic, you can't leave room for that to just sit there. You've got to condemn that." Previously, Mamdani seemingly defended the phrase "globalize the intifada" as "a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights." He has also called antisemitism a "real issue" in New York City and said Hamas' attack of Israel on October 7, 2023, was a "war crime." New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani can be seen briefly speaking with reporters as he leaves the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 16 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani can be seen briefly speaking with reporters as he leaves the Dirksen Senate Office Building on July 16 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) What People Are Saying Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas posted to X on Wednesday: "Zohran Mamdani is not a socialist. He is a communist and an extremist who wants to take over New York City. Chuck Schumer is terrified, but that's the reality of where Democrats are today." Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who has backed Mamdani, on X this month: "Billionaires like Bill Ackman have promised to spend tens of millions of dollars to defeat @ZohranKMamdani because they don't like the result of the democratic primary. That's not democracy, that's oligarchy in action. Stand with Zohran." Political science professor at Columbia University, Robert Y. Shapiro, to Newsweek via email on Wednesday: "This criticism of Mamdani is already baked in here in the mayoral campaign. Josh Shapiro's (no relation) statement draws attention to this issue in national party politics, which is a separate question. As to the local mayoral race, Mamdani may have his chance to respond further as any antisemitic hostility occurs and if this rhetorica [sic] appears among his supporters. There are a lot of undecided Democratic and other voters, who are unhappy with all the candidates, and they will be watching for any signs that Mamdani condones antisemitism and for signs that his socialist policy tendencies are becoming too extreme and detached from reality." What Happens Next Mamdani's campaign continues facing challenges expanding its base beyond progressive voters, particularly as he seeks endorsements from Democratic leaders and reassurance for Jewish communities. With the election approaching in November, voter response will determine whether Mamdani's progressive platform can overcome these divisions or if concerns over rhetoric and party unity will tip the balance in favor of his rivals.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner swap, but little other progress in Istanbul talks
Russia War in Ukraine The Middle East Donald TrumpFacebookTweetLink Follow Russia and Ukraine agreed a prisoner swap during their third set of direct talks in Istanbul on Wednesday, but appeared to make little progress on ceasefire terms or a possible summit between their presidents – with their meeting ending after less than an hour. The meeting came days after US President Donald Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to make peace or face 'very severe tariffs.' Russian President Vladimir Putin has not publicly acknowledged Trump's ultimatum, and Moscow has continued to pummel Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles while its ground troops grind forward in the east. Speaking after Wednesday's meeting, Ukraine's former defense minister Rustem Umerov – who led Kyiv's delegation – said he had proposed a summit by the end of August between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin and suggested the 'participation of (US) President Trump and (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan will be most valuable.' However, Russia's delegate Vladimir Medinsky, a former culture minister and now a senior Putin aide, said such a meeting would be appropriate only to sign an agreement, Reuters reported. The two sides also remained at odds over the terms of any possible ceasefire, with Umerov saying Ukraine was seeking a 'full and unconditional ceasefire as a necessary basis for effective diplomacy,' while Russia called for a series of short ceasefires of between 24 and 48 hours, on the front line, to allow medical teams to pick up dead and wounded soldiers. The two sides did appear to find some common ground on prisoner exchanges, with Medinksy telling a press conference after the meeting that an exchange of around 250 Russian and 250 Ukrainian prisoners of war was being completed along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border. Medinsky said the two sides had also agreed 'that in the near future an exchange of at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side will be carried out.' The two previous rounds of talks in Istanbul, in May and June, helped facilitate the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers, but also made little progress toward peace. In a message on Telegram on Wednesday, Zelensky said more than 1,000 Ukrainians had now been returned through 'all the stages of the recent Istanbul agreements.' 'Bringing all our people back is a priority for the state,' he said, 'And we will continue all efforts to ensure that all our people return from captivity.' Expectations were low before Wednesday's talks, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stressing that the two sides' negotiating positions remain 'diametrically opposed' and telling reports not to expect 'any miraculous breakthroughs.' Last month, Russian casualties hit a grim milestone, with the UK's Ministry of Defence estimating that Putin's war has likely cost Russia more than 1 million casualties since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022. That number tracked with an assessment the same month from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank in Washington, DC, which put the number of casualties at 950,000 and predicted that 'Russia will likely hit the 1 million casualty mark in the summer of 2025.' Despite those losses, the Russian president has shown little sign of compromising on his maximalist war aim of dismantling Ukraine's sovereignty. In a long essay published months before the full-scale invasion, Putin falsely argued that Russia and Ukraine are one country; his comments suggesting to many that the war has been waged to make that a reality. In addition to Trump's fresh threat of new sanctions on Russia and other countries that purchase Russian oil if peace isn't reached in 50 days, the US also secured a deal to funnel new weapons to Kyiv through European allies. The moves were in stark contrast with previous approaches the US leader has taken with the conflict. Trump's reversal came after the European Union unveiled a new package of sanctions proposing to lower the price cap on Russian oil exports and introducing a full transaction ban on Russian banks and financial institutions in third countries that help Russia dodge existing sanctions. It is unclear whether Trump's latest decisions will sway Moscow's approach, but his about-face could provide a much-needed boost to Ukraine's military coffers, and signals his growing frustration with Putin. 'My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night,' Trump explained last week. Before the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his call for a direct meeting with Putin, saying only a meeting of the two leaders can end the war. Katharina Krebs, Victoria Butenko and Anna Cooban contributed reporting.
CNBC
an hour ago
- CNBC
Columbia agrees to pay $200 million to restore funding cut by Trump administration
Columbia University will pay $200 million to the federal government to restore the majority of funding that was cut by the Trump administration over allegations it violated anti-discrimination laws. "This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," acting university President Claire Shipman said in a statement. The Trump administration in March said it was canceling $400 million in grants to the school, accusing it of "inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students." Columbia then agreed to a list of demands by the Trump administration, which some critics saw as a capitulation by the private university. Columbia said in the Wednesday statement that under the agreement "a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025 — will be reinstated and Columbia's access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored." "This includes the reinstatement of the majority of grants previously terminated by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services, renewal of non-competitive grants, the release of overdue payments on active, non-terminated grants, and Columbia's restored eligibility to apply for new federal research funding in the ordinary course," the university said. Columbia and other universities have been targeted by the Trump administration over student protests over the war in Gaza, which some Republican lawmakers have said were anti-Semitic. "While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institution's leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed," the university said in Wednesday's statement. Columbia said the agreement will establish a "a jointly selected independent monitor" — and that it will provide regular reports about its "continued compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations pertaining to admissions, hiring, and international students." It said the agreement also codifies changes it previously announced on campus safety, discipline and inclusion. The $200 million, termed a settlement by the university, will be paid to the government over three years. It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the university said. Columbia Board of Trustees co-chairs David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson said in Wednesday's statement that the agreement "confirms the changes already underway at Columbia to meaningfully address antisemitism on our campus and allows the University to continue to undertake its transformative research and scholarship." Student protests over the war in Gaza, which Israel launched after the surprise terrorist attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, took place on college campuses across the U.S., including at Columbia. President Donald Trump campaigned on attacking those protests, and since taking office his administration has sought to deport some students who took part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations by accusing them of sympathizing with Hamas. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon called the Columbia settlement "a seismic shift in our nation's fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment." Brian Cohen, executive director of the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life with Columbia/Barnard Hillel, hailed the agreement. "This announcement is an important recognition of what Jewish students and their families have expressed with increasing urgency: antisemitism at Columbia is real, and it has had a tangible impact on Jewish students' sense of safety and belonging and, in turn, their civil rights," he said. Another major Ivy League college, Harvard University, refused Trump's demands and has sued the Trump administration over threats to cut funding. That case is pending.
