Protests Erupt in Ukraine as Zelensky Signs Controversial Anti-Corruption Bill

Thousands have taken to the streets amid fears of increased governmental control over corruption investigations.

Kyiv has become the center of large-scale protests following President Volodymyr Zelensky's signing of a bill that opponents argue diminishes the independence of essential anti-corruption institutions. The legislation, seen as a threat to the autonomy of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sapo), places them under the authority of the prosecutor general.

Zelensky defended the law in a speech on Wednesday, asserting that the two agencies would remain operational but must be purged of alleged "Russian influence." In the wake of the bill's approval, hundreds of demonstrators flooded the streets of Kyiv, marking the most significant anti-government movement since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Protests also erupted in other cities, including Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa. Banners such as "We chose Europe, not autocracy," emphasized the sentiments of the demonstrators, as some voiced personal connections to Ukraine’s struggle for democracy.

The changes allow Ukraine's chief prosecutor, a close ally of Zelensky, to reassign high-stakes corruption investigations to potentially more compliant figures within the system or even terminate ongoing cases. Zelensky criticized the existing framework, claiming many corruption cases have remained stagnant for years, insisting upon the necessity for accountability and effective proceedings.

Critics view the new legislation as a significant regression in Ukraine's hard-won democratic and anti-corruption ambitions, aspirations that ignited the Euromaidan movement which led to the ousting of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. The government has justified the law by citing a need to counterbalance Russian infiltration efforts.

Western partners, who had previously demanded reforms of Nabu's authority as a condition for financial assistance following Russia's previous military actions in 2014, are alarmed. The European Union has expressed concerns, underscoring that safeguarding anti-corruption institutions is essential not only for systemic integrity but also for Ukraine’s accession to the EU. European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, condemned the bill's passage, stressing the importance of protecting the independence of Nabu, which she deems vital for Ukraine's European aspirations.

Amid growing unrest, G7 ambassadors have indicated a desire to engage with Ukraine's leadership regarding these changes and their implications. However, the geopolitical landscape complicates any potential withdrawal of support, particularly as Ukraine continues to battle on the fronts against Russia.