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The Journal
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Ukrainians take to the streets after Zelenskyy signs new law that targets anti-corruption bodies
UKRAINIANS HAVE TAKEN to the streets to protest after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a bill into law that opposition figures have said will leave Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies disempowered. The law means that the prosecutor general now has control of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. It has effectively erased the independence of the two bodies. Critics have said that this will mean that Ukraine's parliament will have the ability to control which cases are pursued. Zelenskyy has said that this was done to rid the bodies of 'Russian influence'. In an address the President said that cases taken by the bodies had been left 'lying dormant', including criminal proceedings 'worth billions'. Advertisement Protesters seen with placards, expressing their opinions against a law that strips the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of their 22 July. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo He spoke on the bill in a post-midnight address after signing the bill late Tuesday (he makes an address around that time every night). Kyiv has now seen the biggest protests in years, with hundreds gathering in Kyiv, and elsewhere in the cities of Odesa, Dnipro and Lviv. Yesterday protestors had gathered in their hundreds near the presidential complex and called for Zelenskyy to veto the law. As protests go on today, it's the first time Ukrainians have taken to the streets in these numbers since Russia first launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, said on twitter that she is 'seriously concerned' over the move. Kos further said: 'The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back. Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO, are essential for [Ukraine's] EU path. Rule of Law remains in the very center of EU accession negotiations.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
a day ago
- Politics
Thousands gather to protest as Zelenskyy signs bill weakening anti-corruption agencies
KYIV, Ukraine -- Thousands of people gathered in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine on Tuesday to urge the president to veto a controversial bill that threatens anti-corruption infrastructure. It marked the first major rally against the government in more than three years of war. Ukraine 's parliament passed legislation that will tighten oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies, which critics say could significantly weaken their independence and give President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's circle greater sway over investigations. Zelenskyy signed the bill into law, according to the parliament's website late Tuesday. Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's bid to join the European Union and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid. The legislation's passage has triggered public outrage in Ukraine, with some saying it appeared to be a greater moral blow than the routine Russian drone and missile attacks. The changes would grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). 'In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general's office,' the agencies said in a joint statement on Telegram. In a post on X, the EU's Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern over the vote in the parliament, called the Rada, calling it 'a serious step back.' Kos added: 'Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO are essential for Ukraine's EU path. Rule of Law remains in the very center of EU accession negotiations." While rallies have taken place during the war in Ukraine, they have largely focused on the return of prisoners of war or missing people. Protests, however, remain a traditional form of public pressure in Ukraine, where two previous revolutions were victorious for the public. 'Corruption is a problem in any country, and it must always be fought,' said Ihor Lachenkov, a blogger and activist who urged people to join the protest through his social media platforms, which reach more than 1.5 million followers. 'Ukraine has far fewer resources than Russia in this war," he said. "If we misuse them, or worse, allow them to end up in the pockets of thieves, our chances of victory diminish. All our resources must go toward the fight.' The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticized parliament's decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and damages trust with international partners. The group urged Zelenskyy to veto the law, warning that otherwise he would share responsibility with the Rada for "dismantling Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure.' Many protesters carried signs reading 'Veto the law,' 'Protect the anti-corruption system, protect Ukraine's future,' or simply 'We are against it.' The mood of anger and frustration among the war-weary Ukrainians prevailed in the crowd. Some protesters accused Ukraine's leadership of prioritizing loyalty and personal connections over the fight against corruption. 'Those who swore to protect the laws and the Constitution have instead chosen to shield their inner circle, even at the expense of Ukrainian democracy,' said veteran Oleh Symoroz, sitting in a wheelchair because both his legs were amputated after he was wounded in 2022. 'Instead of setting an example of zero tolerance for corruption, the president is using his power to take control of criminal cases involving his allies,' he said. On Monday, Ukraine's domestic security agency detained two NABU officials on suspicion of links to Russia and searched other agency employees on unrelated allegations. Zelenskyy's office didn't respond to a request for comment. Last week, the president carried out a reshuffle of his wartime Cabinet, a move widely viewed as further consolidating power within his inner circle.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Zelensky signs bill weakening anti-corruption agencies, sparks protests across Ukraine
Thousands of people gathered in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) to urge the president to veto a controversial bill that threatens anti-corruption infrastructure. It marked the first major rally against the government in more than three years of war. Ukraine's parliament passed legislation that will tighten oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies, which critics say could significantly weaken their independence and give President Volodymyr Zelensky's circle greater sway over investigations. Mr. Zelensky signed the bill into law, according to the parliament's website late Tuesday. Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's bid to join the European Union and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid. The legislation's passage has triggered public outrage in Ukraine, with some saying it appeared to be a greater moral blow than the routine Russian drone and missile attacks. The changes would grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). 'In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general's office,' the agencies said in a joint statement on Telegram. In a post on X, the EU's Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern over the vote in the parliament, called the Rada, calling it 'a serious step back.' Ms. Kos added: 'Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO are essential for Ukraine's EU path. Rule of Law remains in the very center of EU accession negotiations." Public pressure While rallies have taken place during the war in Ukraine, they have largely focused on the return of prisoners of war or missing people. Protests, however, remain a traditional form of public pressure in Ukraine, where two previous revolutions were victorious for the public. 'Corruption is a problem in any country, and it must always be fought,' said Ihor Lachenkov, a blogger and activist who urged people to join the protest through his social media platforms, which reach more than 1.5 million followers. 'Ukraine has far fewer resources than Russia in this war," he said. "If we misuse them, or worse, allow them to end up in the pockets of thieves, our chances of victory diminish. All our resources must go toward the fight.' The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticized parliament's decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and damages trust with international partners. The group urged Mr. Zelensky to veto the law, warning that otherwise he would share responsibility with the Rada for "dismantling Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure.' Many protesters carried signs reading 'Veto the law,' 'Protect the anti-corruption system, protect Ukraine's future,' or simply 'We are against it.' The mood of anger and frustration among the war-weary Ukrainians prevailed in the crowd. Some protesters accused Ukraine's leadership of prioritising loyalty and personal connections over the fight against corruption. 'Those who swore to protect the laws and the Constitution have instead chosen to shield their inner circle, even at the expense of Ukrainian democracy,' said veteran Oleh Symoroz, sitting in a wheelchair because both his legs were amputated after he was wounded in 2022. 'Instead of setting an example of zero tolerance for corruption, the president is using his power to take control of criminal cases involving his allies,' he said. On Monday, Ukraine's domestic security agency detained two NABU officials on suspicion of links to Russia and searched other agency employees on unrelated allegations. Mr. Zelensky's office didn't respond to a request for comment. Last week, the president carried out a reshuffle of his wartime Cabinet, a move widely viewed as further consolidating power within his inner circle.
Euronews
a day ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Ukrainian protesters rally as Zelenskyy backs law weakening watchdogs
Thousands of Ukrainians rallied in Kyiv and other cities on Tuesday, urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to veto legislation which critics say undermines the country's anti-corruption infrastructure. The protest marked the first major rally against the government in more than three years of Russia's ongoing, full-scale invasion. Ukraine's parliament had passed a bill which tightened oversight of two key anti-corruption bodies – the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). Opponents warn the measure could weaken the independence of the agencies and increase political influence over investigations. Despite public outcry, Zelenskyy reportedly signed the bill into law on Tuesday. Fighting corruption is a key condition for Ukraine's bid to join the European Union and for secure ongoing Western financial support as it fights Russia's invasion. The move sparked anger among civil society and officials. 'In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general's office,' the agencies said in a joint statement on Telegram. In a post on X, the EU's Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also expressed concern over the vote in the Ukrainian parliament. She described it as a 'serious step back' and said 'Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO are essential for Ukraine's EU path. Rule of Law remains in the very centre of EU accession negotiations.' The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International also criticised the news, saying it undermines past reform and damages trust with international partners. The group urged Zelenskyy to veto the law, warning that otherwise he would share responsibility with the parliament for 'dismantling Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure.' While rallies have taken place since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, they have largely focused on the return of prisoners of war or missing people. Protests, however, remain a traditional form of public pressure in Ukraine, where two previous revolutions were victorious for the public. Many protesters at Tuesday's demonstration carried signs reading 'Veto the law,' 'Protect the anti-corruption system, protect Ukraine's future,' or simply 'We are against it.'
Japan Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Thousands gather to protest as Zelenskyy signs bill weakening anti-corruption agencies
A woman chants while holding a banner that reads, 'Corruption Applauds,' during a protest against a law targeting anti-corruption institutions in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Babenko) By HANNA ARHIROVA and VASILISA STEPANENKO Thousands of people gathered in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine on Tuesday to urge the president to veto a controversial bill that threatens anti-corruption infrastructure. It marked the first major rally against the government in more than three years of war. Ukraine 's parliament passed legislation that will tighten oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies, which critics say could significantly weaken their independence and give President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's circle greater sway over investigations. Zelenskyy signed the bill into law, according to the parliament's website late Tuesday. Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's bid to join the European Union and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid. The legislation's passage has triggered public outrage in Ukraine, with some saying it appeared to be a greater moral blow than the routine Russian drone and missile attacks. The changes would grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). 'In effect, if this bill becomes law, the head of SAPO will become a nominal figure, while NABU will lose its independence and turn into a subdivision of the prosecutor general's office,' the agencies said in a joint statement on Telegram. In a post on X, the EU's Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern over the vote in the parliament, called the Rada, calling it 'a serious step back.' Kos added: 'Independent bodies like NABU & SAPO are essential for Ukraine's EU path. Rule of Law remains in the very center of EU accession negotiations." While rallies have taken place during the war in Ukraine, they have largely focused on the return of prisoners of war or missing people. Protests, however, remain a traditional form of public pressure in Ukraine, where two previous revolutions were victorious for the public. 'Corruption is a problem in any country, and it must always be fought,' said Ihor Lachenkov, a blogger and activist who urged people to join the protest through his social media platforms, which reach more than 1.5 million followers. 'Ukraine has far fewer resources than Russia in this war," he said. "If we misuse them, or worse, allow them to end up in the pockets of thieves, our chances of victory diminish. All our resources must go toward the fight.' The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticized parliament's decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and damages trust with international partners. The group urged Zelenskyy to veto the law, warning that otherwise he would share responsibility with the Rada for "dismantling Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure.' Many protesters carried signs reading 'Veto the law,' 'Protect the anti-corruption system, protect Ukraine's future,' or simply 'We are against it.' The mood of anger and frustration among the war-weary Ukrainians prevailed in the crowd. Some protesters accused Ukraine's leadership of prioritizing loyalty and personal connections over the fight against corruption. 'Those who swore to protect the laws and the Constitution have instead chosen to shield their inner circle, even at the expense of Ukrainian democracy,' said veteran Oleh Symoroz, sitting in a wheelchair because both his legs were amputated after he was wounded in 2022. 'Instead of setting an example of zero tolerance for corruption, the president is using his power to take control of criminal cases involving his allies,' he said. On Monday, Ukraine's domestic security agency detained two NABU officials on suspicion of links to Russia and searched other agency employees on unrelated allegations. Zelenskyy's office didn't respond to a request for comment. Last week, the president carried out a reshuffle of his wartime Cabinet, a move widely viewed as further consolidating power within his inner circle. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
