Ukraine Grapples with Anti-Corruption Backlash Amidst EU Aspirations and Wartime Protests

Ukraine Grapples with Anti-Corruption Backlash Amidst EU Aspirations and Wartime Protests

RMN News Report Highlights:

• President Zelensky signed a controversial law limiting the independence of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption agencies, Nabu and Sap, by granting control to the prosecutor general.
• This decision sparked the largest anti-government protests since the 2022 invasion, with thousands demonstrating in Kyiv and other cities, expressing anger and concerns about a return to past corruption.
• Kyiv’s Western allies, including the European Commission, expressed displeasure, reiterating that the fight against corruption and respect for the rule of law are “core elements” for Ukraine’s EU integration, which “cannot be a compromise”.
• In response to the backlash, President Zelensky acknowledged public anger and pledged to submit a new presidential bill to parliament to ensure the independence of anti-corruption institutions and strengthen the rule of law.

RMN News World Desk
July 24, 2025

Ukraine’s government is facing significant public and international backlash following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to sign a controversial law limiting the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies. The new bill, identified by some protesters as “12414,” grants control of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (Sap) to the prosecutor general, an appointee of the president.

Widespread Protests and Public Outcry

Thousands of Ukrainians have taken to the streets of Kyiv for two consecutive nights, with smaller demonstrations also erupting in cities like Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and Sumy, despite the ongoing threat of Russian aerial attacks. These gatherings represent the largest anti-government demonstrations since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Protesters, including young army veterans, expressed their anger through singing, chanting, and holding placards with messages such as “shame,” “12414 sounds like 1984,” “Parliament is full of parasites,” and “Corruption lives – the future dies”.

Critics argue that the law will severely undermine the authority and effectiveness of Nabu and Sap. Many activists view the move as a potential regression to the corruption levels seen a decade ago under the pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Government’s Rationale and Western Concerns

President Zelensky defended the provisions, stating that Nabu and Sap had allowed criminal proceedings to stagnate for years and insisted that they needed to be “cleansed from Russian influence”. The bill received backing from 263 out of 324 Members of Parliament (MPs) before being signed into law.

However, Kyiv’s Western allies have expressed considerable displeasure. A spokesman for European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that she had requested “explanations” from the Ukrainian government. The European Commission and International Monetary Fund had originally required the creation of Nabu and Sap over a decade ago as a step towards relaxing visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU.

The Fight Against Corruption and EU Integration

The fight against corruption is seen as inextricably linked to Ukraine’s prospects for integration within the European Union. In 2022, Ukraine was granted the coveted status of an EU candidate country, a development that significantly boosted national morale and strengthened ties with European backers. However, there is now concern that Zelensky’s recent move may jeopardize Ukraine’s growing proximity to the West.

• Von der Leyen’s spokesman reiterated that respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption are “core elements” of EU membership, and as a candidate country, Ukraine is expected to uphold these standards without compromise.
• While corruption in Ukraine remains endemic, with the country ranking 105 out of 180 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, this marks a 39-point improvement since the creation of Nabu and Sap in 2014.
• Since their establishment, these two bodies have been involved in far-reaching investigations into the misappropriation of millions of dollars’ worth of assets and bribes across various ministries and sectors.

Zelensky’s Response and Future Steps

In response to the widespread criticism, President Zelensky acknowledged public anger, stating that “everyone has heard what people are saying these days – on social media, to each other, on the streets. It’s not falling on deaf ears”. He announced his intention to submit a new bill to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament).

Zelensky stated that this new presidential bill would:

• Ensure the strength of the rule of law system.
• Prevent Russian influence or interference in law enforcement activities.
• Crucially, ensure all norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions are in place.

He held a “frank and constructive conversation” with heads of Ukraine’s law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, along with the Prosecutor General, emphasizing the shared goal of defending the Ukrainian state against “the common enemy: the Russian occupiers”.

Zelensky underscored the need for a strong law enforcement and anti-corruption system that ensures “a real sense of justice,” and insisted that “criminal proceedings must not drag on for years without lawful verdicts”. He also stated that “those who work against Ukraine must not feel comfortable or immune to the inevitability of punishment”.

The meeting concluded with an agreement for all parties to work constructively as “Team Ukraine”. They discussed administrative and legislative decisions to strengthen institutions, resolve contradictions, and eliminate threats. A working meeting for a joint action plan is scheduled for the following week, with a final plan expected to be ready in two weeks, outlining steps to “strengthen Ukraine, resolve existing issues, deliver greater justice, and truly protect the interests of Ukrainian society”.

This situation highlights a crucial moment for Ukraine, as it navigates the dual challenges of wartime defense and critical domestic reforms. It’s like trying to rebuild a house during a storm, where the foundation of trust and good governance is as vital as the roof protecting against the elements.