Latest news with #NationalAnti-CorruptionBureauofUkraine
Mint
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Ukraine's Anti-Graft Crackdown Sparks Protests Against Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy approved a law to strip anti-corruption agencies of their powers despite opposition, triggering the first outbreak of popular discontent against his leadership since Russia's full-scale invasion began. Hundreds of mostly young people joined rallies in the capital of Kyiv, the western city of Lviv, and the southern city of Odesa on Tuesday evening in protest against legislation that placed the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine under the control of the Prosecutor General's Office, whose head is appointed by the president. Zelenskiy dismissed concerns raised by the opposition and allies from the Group of Seven nations that such a move would hamstring efforts to tackle high-level graft. NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office were both established at the request of Western donors a decade ago. The unprecedented protests erupted as the capital has been suffering almost daily barrages of deadly drone and missile strikes, underscoring the growing sense of anger in society over Zelenskiy's attempts to concentrate power within a narrow circle of his close associates. It also comes as Ukraine tries to convince its Western allies, especially in the European Union, to deliver and pay for weapon supplies and continue financial assistance. Protesters in Kyiv gathered near one of the downtown theaters close to the presidential office carrying homemade posters with slogans including 'Why do I need a system that works against me?' and 'Do we want to be like Russia?' Were the discontent to escalate, it would add pressure on the war-torn nation, suffering from Russia's grinding offensive along a 1,000-kilometer front and intensified airstrikes targeting multiple cities. The protests come despite martial law, which remains in place and prohibits mass gatherings. Ukraine has a history of mass demonstrations which have morphed into successful revolutions, sweeping aside corrupt and authoritarian governments. Among the protesters in Kyiv were military veterans like Mykola Hradnov-Savytskyi, 31, who fought in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region and lost both legs after being wounded last year. 'I am now trying to integrate into society,' he told Bloomberg News. 'I am here to support conscious people who will not allow harm to be done to Ukraine.' Several opposition lawmakers, along with Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko — a former boxing heavyweight champion who has been at odds with Zelenskiy's administration — joined the protest in the capital. Earlier on Tuesday, 263 lawmakers in the 450-seat legislature voted in favor of the bill. The measure was part of a raft of amendments to the criminal code pushed through Ukraine's parliament, where Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party has a majority. Opposition members had sought to block the measure, with several shouting 'shame' as the vote proceeded. Semen Kryvonos, the chief of NABU, demanded that Zelenskiy veto the law. While foreign allies strongly support Ukraine in its war against Russia, having provided tens of billions of US dollars since 2022, a significant setback in anti-corruption reforms could jeopardize further assistance. Moreover, the crackdown on anti-graft institutions may stall Ukraine's efforts to joint the European Union and risk the suspension of its visa-free regime with the block. Concern among Ukraine's wartime allies was stoked on Monday when authorities carried out sweeping raids targeting anti-graft agencies. An unnamed employee of NABU was detained same day under suspicion of sending data on the identities of Ukrainian law enforcement officers to Russia's intelligence services, the prosecutor's office said. The ambassadors from the Group of Seven nations expressed 'serious concerns' about the raids, which targeted at least 15 NABU detectives, saying they intend to discuss the developments with the Ukrainian government. The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, a business association, urged Zelenskiy in a statement not to sign the proposed legislation and to continue 'supporting the independence of anti-corruption institutions.' Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, who oversees Ukraine's EU integration promised to respect all the country's commitments on its path to EU membership. 'Ukraine acts responsibly in strengthening the rule of law and treats ensuring an efficient fight against corruption and the implementation of international commitments with utmost seriousness,' he said on Facebook. 'On these matters, there can be no compromise.'
DW
10 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Ukraine: EU concerned about Kyiv's anti-corruption bodies – DW – 07/22/2025
Ukrainian lawmakers voted to strip two anti-corruption bodies of their independence. This could impede Ukraine's progress toward the EU, which has already expressed concern about the move. DW has the European Union's enlargement commissioner criticized a vote in the Ukrainian parliament to strip two anti-corruption bodies of their independence. Marta Kos stressed that the independence of he National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and an anti-graft prosecutor's office were "essential for Ukraine's EU path." Meanwhile, Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in an interview that she is likely to discuss a fresh loan program with the IMF next month. Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to hold the third round of peace talks in Istanbul on European Union's enlargement commissioner criticised a vote in the Ukrainian parliament to strip two anti-corruption bodies of independence. "Seriously concerned over today's vote in the Rada. The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back," Marta Kos wrote on X, in reference to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. Kos stressed that the independence of the agency and an anti-graft prosecutor's office were "essential for Ukraine's EU path." Kyiv has been adamant to accelerate its membership in the bloc, especially since the 2022 Russian invasion. Ukraine's lawmakers voted in favor of amendments that would remove the independence of two anti-corruption bodies in the country. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) is the entity investigating corruption allegations within state institutions. The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) prosecutes corruption cases. Both NABU and SAPO were placed under the direct supervision of the Prosecutor General, who is appointed by the president. This comes a day after a NABU employee was arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia. The move triggered criticism both at home and internationally, with the EU saying it was "concerned" with the decision. Ukrainian NGO The Anti-Corruption Action Center said the amendments made the two agencies meaningless, adding the country's Prosecutor General "will stop investigations into" President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's "friends." France's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, visited the Ukrainian border region of Kharkiv in the northeastern part of the country on Tuesday. While walking through Kharkiv's city center, Barrot witnessed the current situation in the city, which is regularly being targeted by Russia, whose forces are some 30 kilometers away. Speaking during his visit, Barrot accused Russia of "deliberately" targeting civilians and residential areas, in a bid to "undermine Ukrainian morale." 1.4 million people lived in Kharkiv before Russia's full-scale invasion into Ukraine in 2022. As Russia steps up its attacks on Ukraine, the Kremlin is once again seeking help from North Korea. South Korean intelligence reports that the country has already sent Russia 28,000 containers filled with weapons and artillery shells. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Ukraine's delegation for the peace talks with Russia will be headed by the country's ex-Defense Minister and current secretary of the security council Rustem Umerov, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. The talks are scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Istanbul, in the same venue where previous talks between the two sides took place, with the Kremlin saying that there is no reason to expect a "miraculous breakthrough" in the talks. This comes after US President Donald Trump's threat to impose "severe" sanctions on Russia should a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine not be reached in 50 days. A 10-year-old boy was killed in Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, the authorities in the city of Kramatorsk say. According to city mayor Alexander Goncharenko, guided glide bombs launched by Russia hit a residential building in Kramatorsk, located in eastern Ukraine. The city is located in the area of Donetsk that remains under Ukrainian control three years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Glide bombs have a range of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles), and their use by the Russian army is made possible by the front moving closer and closer to Kramatorsk. Ukraine's new Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said she will likely seek fresh financing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cushion the country's fiscal needs in its defense against Russia's war, according to a report by Bloomberg. The report outlined that global donors have so far only earmarked half of the estimated $75 billion (€64.2 billion) budget that the war-strained country requires over the next two years. With the IMF's roughly $16 billion loan program set to expire in 2027, new discussions will likely be held at a lender's review planned for August, especially since the end to the war is not in sight, she told the media house. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Minister took to messaging app Telegram, saying the country will need at least $120 billion for defense spending next year and that negotiations were ongoing with NATO and the EU over $60 billion in funding from partners. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video On Monday, the UK and Germany led a virtual meeting on how to help Ukraine acquire the weapons it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he will "contribute to providing" five Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine, DW's Teri Schultz reported from Brussels. This includes two systems Berlin had previously discussed, with an additional one expected to be financed by Norway. It is not clear whether Germany would pay for the remaining two defense systems itself, or if it will seek contributions from other NATO members. Meanwhile, Ukraine's former prime minister and newly appointed Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, who was also part of the meeting, said Kyiv needs more than $6 billion (€5.1 billion) worth of additional military spending to increase its own weapons production. The UK imposed new sanctions on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" which will target 135 oil tankers and two Russian companies involved in circumventing oil sanctions on Moscow. Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and Russia will hold another round of talks on Wednesday. Two previous rounds held in Istanbul failed to yield any meaningful progress on a ceasefire. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Russia continue to exchange drones and missiles, aiming at each other's capital cities. Overnight Monday, Russia unleashed one of its largest aerial assaults on Kyiv, just hours before the UK and Germany chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the US' plans for NATO allies to provide Ukraine with weapons it needs. Stay tuned for the latest news and analysis from the ongoing war.
RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Ukraine vote to curb autonomy of anti-graft agencies
Ukraine's parliament have voted to tighten restrictions on two key anti-corruption agencies at the centre of the government's reform drive, rolling back their autonomy in favour of tighter executive control. Stamping out endemic graft is a key requirement for Kyiv to join the European Union as well as to secure billions in Western aid. Independent investigators have in recent months embarrassed senior officials with allegations of corruption. The vote paves the way for the general prosecutor, appointed by the president, to gain more control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, several lawmakers said. Kyiv's domestic security agency yesterday arrested two NABU officials on suspicion of ties to Russia and conducted searches into agency employees on other grounds. Critics and the two agencies said the crackdown went too far. No senior official has publicly commented on the reasoning for the draft law, which would allow the general prosecutor to transfer cases from the agencies and reassign prosecutors. President Volodymyr Zelensky's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, NABU chief Semen Kryvonos urged Mr Zelensky not to sign the bill, which he described as an attempt to "destroy" Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure. Ukraine's government bonds fell more than 2% in the international markets, with the bulk of the $20 billion of debt it restructured last year down over 1 cent at between 45 and 50 cents on the dollar. Pressure on agencies EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said she was "seriously concerned" by the vote. "The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back," she wrote on X, adding that rule of law was at "the very centre" of accession talks. NABU and SAPO were established after the 2014 Maidan revolution that toppled a pro-Russian president and set Kyiv on a western course. The two agencies have stepped up their work since Russia's full-scale invasion, leveling charges against lawmakers, ministers and a former deputy head of Mr Zelensky's administration. Anti-graft campaigners have been alarmed since authorities charged a top anti-corruption activist earlier this month with fraud and evading military service. Critics have cast those charges as political retribution for exposing corrupt officials. 'Most dangerous moment' A western diplomat familiar with Ukraine's reform effort described the developments as "the most dangerous moment" yet for the independence of anti-corruption authorities. "The Ukrainian side is testing the limits more and more," the person said, referring to the patience of Kyiv's allies. The government also faced criticism for rejecting the candidacy of an economic security chief and current NABU detective who was unanimously backed by an internationally supervised committee. Many influential Ukrainians lashed out after the vote, saying it was a betrayal of Ukraine's decade-long geopolitical ambition. "What kind of European integration can we talk aboutnow?!!!!" wrote Serhiy Prytula, a prominent crowdfunder for the military and one-time politician, on X. "A bloody shame."
DW
11 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Ukraine: EU concerned over Kyiv's anti-corruption bodies – DW – 07/22/2025
Ukrainian lawmakers voted to strip two anti-corruption bodies of their independence. This could impede Ukraine's progress toward the EU, which has already expressed concern about the move. DW has the European Union's enlargement commissioner criticized a vote in the Ukrainian parliament to strip two anti-corruption bodies of their independence. Marta Kos stressed that the independence of he National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and an anti-graft prosecutor's office were "essential for Ukraine's EU path." Meanwhile, Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in an interview that she is likely to discuss a fresh loan program with the IMF next month. Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to hold the third round of peace talks in Istanbul on European Union's enlargement commissioner criticised a vote in the Ukrainian parliament to strip two anti-corruption bodies of independence. "Seriously concerned over today's vote in the Rada. The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back," Marta Kos wrote on X, in reference to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. Kos stressed that the independence of the agency and an anti-graft prosecutor's office were "essential for Ukraine's EU path." Kyiv has been adamant to accelerate its membership in the bloc, especially since the 2022 Russian invasion. Ukraine's lawmakers voted in favor of amendments that would remove the independence of two anti-corruption bodies in the country. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) is the entity investigating corruption allegations within state institutions. The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) prosecutes corruption cases. Both NABU and SAPO were placed under the direct supervision of the Prosecutor General, who is appointed by the president. This comes a day after a NABU employee was arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia. The move triggered criticism both at home and internationally, with the EU saying it was "concerned" with the decision. Ukrainian NGO The Anti-Corruption Action Center said the amendments made the two agencies meaningless, adding the country's Prosecutor General "will stop investigations into" President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's "friends." France's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, visited the Ukrainian border region of Kharkiv in the northeastern part of the country on Tuesday. While walking through Kharkiv's city center, Barrot witnessed the current situation in the city, which is regularly being targeted by Russia, whose forces are some 30 kilometers away. Speaking during his visit, Barrot accused Russia of "deliberately" targeting civilians and residential areas, in a bid to "undermine Ukrainian morale." 1.4 million people lived in Kharkiv before Russia's full-scale invasion into Ukraine in 2022. As Russia steps up its attacks on Ukraine, the Kremlin is once again seeking help from North Korea. South Korean intelligence reports that the country has already sent Russia 28,000 containers filled with weapons and artillery shells. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Ukraine's delegation for the peace talks with Russia will be headed by the country's ex-Defense Minister and current secretary of the security council Rustem Umerov, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. The talks are scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Istanbul, in the same venue where previous talks between the two sides took place, with the Kremlin saying that there is no reason to expect a "miraculous breakthrough" in the talks. This comes after US President Donald Trump's threat to impose "severe" sanctions on Russia should a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine not be reached in 50 days. A 10-year-old boy was killed in Russian airstrikes on Ukraine, the authorities in the city of Kramatorsk say. According to city mayor Alexander Goncharenko, guided glide bombs launched by Russia hit a residential building in Kramatorsk, located in eastern Ukraine. The city is located in the area of Donetsk that remains under Ukrainian control three years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Glide bombs have a range of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles), and their use by the Russian army is made possible by the front moving closer and closer to Kramatorsk. Ukraine's new Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said she will likely seek fresh financing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cushion the country's fiscal needs in its defense against Russia's war, according to a report by Bloomberg. The report outlined that global donors have so far only earmarked half of the estimated $75 billion (€64.2 billion) budget that the war-strained country requires over the next two years. With the IMF's roughly $16 billion loan program set to expire in 2027, new discussions will likely be held at a lender's review planned for August, especially since the end to the war is not in sight, she told the media house. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Minister took to messaging app Telegram, saying the country will need at least $120 billion for defense spending next year and that negotiations were ongoing with NATO and the EU over $60 billion in funding from partners. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video On Monday, the UK and Germany led a virtual meeting on how to help Ukraine acquire the weapons it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he will "contribute to providing" five Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine, DW's Teri Schultz reported from Brussels. This includes two systems Berlin had previously discussed, with an additional one expected to be financed by Norway. It is not clear whether Germany would pay for the remaining two defense systems itself, or if it will seek contributions from other NATO members. Meanwhile, Ukraine's former prime minister and newly appointed Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, who was also part of the meeting, said Kyiv needs more than $6 billion (€5.1 billion) worth of additional military spending to increase its own weapons production. The UK imposed new sanctions on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" which will target 135 oil tankers and two Russian companies involved in circumventing oil sanctions on Moscow. Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and Russia will hold another round of talks on Wednesday. Two previous rounds held in Istanbul failed to yield any meaningful progress on a ceasefire. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Welcome to DW's coverage of the latest developments in Russia's war in Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Russia continue to exchange drones and missiles, aiming at each other's capital cities. Overnight Monday, Russia unleashed one of its largest aerial assaults on Kyiv, just hours before the UK and Germany chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the US' plans for NATO allies to provide Ukraine with weapons it needs. Stay tuned for the latest news and analysis from the ongoing war.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Ukraine lawmakers vote to curb autonomy of anti-graft agencies
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Semen Kryvonos, director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), speaks in an interview with Reuters in Kyiv, Ukraine August 18, 2023. Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau Press Service/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Ukraine's parliament voted on Tuesday to tighten restrictions on two key anti-corruption agencies, lawmakers said, rolling back the autonomy of institutions that have been at the centre of the government's reform programme. Stamping out endemic graft is a central requirement for Kyiv to join the European Union, and independent investigators have in recent months embarrassed senior officials with allegations of corruption. Tuesday's vote paves the way for the presidentially appointed general prosecutor to gain more control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. On Monday, the domestic security agency arrested two NABU officials on suspicion of ties to Russia and conducted dozens of searches into agency employees on other grounds. Critics including the two agencies said the crackdown went too far and compromised their mission. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, NABU chief Semen Kryvonos urged President Volodymyr Zelenskiy not to sign the bill, which he described as an attempt to "destroy" Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure. No senior Ukrainian official has yet publicly commented on the reasoning for Tuesday's draft law, which would allow the general prosecutor to reassign cases and prosecutors from the two agencies. Ahead of the vote, European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier voiced concern about its consequences. "These institutions are crucial to Ukraine's reform agenda and must operate independently to fight corruption and maintain public trust," Mercier said. "Ukraine's EU accession will require a strong capacity to combat corruption and to ensure institutional resilience." REUTERS
