EU chief urges Zelensky to protect anti-graft bodies' independence
Von der Leyen described her discussions with Zelensky as productive, acknowledging Ukraine's progress toward European integration. 'It must build on these solid foundations and preserve independent anti-corruption bodies, which are cornerstones of Ukraine's rule of law,' she stated in a post on X.
Last week, Ukraine's parliament voted to strip two anti-corruption agencies of their autonomy, triggering widespread criticism. The EU labeled the decision a 'serious step back,' warning it could allow political interference in corruption cases. Von der Leyen personally sought explanations from Zelensky, marking a rare public rebuke from Brussels.
Facing protests in Kyiv, Zelensky reversed course, pledging new legislation to reinforce the agencies' independence. The EU welcomed the move, reiterating its commitment to Ukraine's anti-corruption reforms. 'Ukraine can count on our support to deliver progress on its European path,' von der Leyen affirmed. – AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Trump says US will work with Thailand and Cambodia, adds both 'want to settle'
A view of broken windows at a damaged hospital, caused by Cambodia's shelling in Sisaket province, as Cambodia and Thailand each said the other had launched artillery attacks across contested border areas early on Sunday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said the leaders of both countries had agreed to work on a ceasefire, Thailand, July 27, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he believed both Thailand and Cambodia wanted to settle their differences after he told the leaders of both countries that he would not conclude trade deals with them unless they ended their fighting. "I spoke to both of the prime ministers, and I think by the time I got off, I think they want to settle now," Trump told reporters at the start of a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnbery, Scotland. Trump said he believed Thai and Cambodian officials were due to meet in coming days. (Reporting by Andrew Gray; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Will Dunham)
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
EU chief urges Zelensky to protect anti-graft bodies' independence
BRUSSELS: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to maintain the independence of anti-corruption institutions, following recent tensions over Kyiv's attempt to limit their authority. Von der Leyen described her discussions with Zelensky as productive, acknowledging Ukraine's progress toward European integration. 'It must build on these solid foundations and preserve independent anti-corruption bodies, which are cornerstones of Ukraine's rule of law,' she stated in a post on X. Last week, Ukraine's parliament voted to strip two anti-corruption agencies of their autonomy, triggering widespread criticism. The EU labeled the decision a 'serious step back,' warning it could allow political interference in corruption cases. Von der Leyen personally sought explanations from Zelensky, marking a rare public rebuke from Brussels. Facing protests in Kyiv, Zelensky reversed course, pledging new legislation to reinforce the agencies' independence. The EU welcomed the move, reiterating its commitment to Ukraine's anti-corruption reforms. 'Ukraine can count on our support to deliver progress on its European path,' von der Leyen affirmed. – AFP
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Ukrainian drones target St Petersburg as Putin attends scaled-down Navy Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen onboard a Raptor patrol boat on Russia's Navy Day in Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 27, 2025. Sputnik/Alexei Danichev/Pool via REUTERS MOSCOW (Reuters) -Ukrainian drones targeted St. Petersburg on Sunday, Russian authorities said, forcing the airport to close for five hours as Vladimir Putin marked Russia's Navy Day in the city, despite the earlier cancellation of its naval parade due to security concerns. St. Petersburg usually holds a large-scale, televised navy parade on Navy Day, which features a flotilla of warships and military vessels sailing down the Neva River and is attended by Putin. Last year, Russia suspected a Ukrainian plan to attack the city's parade, according to state television. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Sunday that this year's parade had been cancelled for security reasons, following first reports of its cancellation in early July. Putin arrived at the city's historic naval headquarters on Sunday by patrol speed boat, from where he followed drills involving more than 150 vessels and 15,000 military personnel in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and Baltic and Caspian Seas. "Today we are marking this holiday in a working setting, we are inspecting the combat readiness of the fleet," Putin said in a video address. The Russian Defence Ministry said air defence units downed a total of 291 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones on Sunday, below a record 524 drones downed in attacks on May 7, ahead of Russia's Victory Day parade on May 9. Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region surrounding St. Petersburg, said that over ten drones were downed over the area, and falling debris injured a woman. At 0840 GMT on Sunday Drozdenko said that the attack was repelled. St. Petersburg's Pulkovo airport was closed during the attack, with 57 flights delayed and 22 diverted to other airports, according to a statement. Pulkovo resumed operations later on Sunday. Russian blogger Alexander Yunashev, part of an official group of reporters travelling with Peskov, said Peskov had told him their flight from Moscow to St. Petersburg had been delayed by the drone attack for 2 hours on Sunday. (Additional reporting by Anton Kolodyazhnyy; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
