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“The Corruption Life – The Future Dies”
The Ukrainian government is facing increasing backlash after President Volodymia Zelensky signed a law restricting the independence of two anti-corruption agencies.
The controversial bill grants president-appointed prosecutors control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the professional Anti-Corruption Public Prosecutors’ Office (SAP).
Zelensky argued that the provisions must be taken as Nab and SAP have been stagnating criminal cases for years, and that “it must be cleansed from the influence of Russia.”
He signed the bill late Tuesday after receiving support from 263 lawmakers out of 324.
Many Ukrainians outside the parliament – RADA – oppose this decision. Critics say the law severely undermines the authority and effectiveness of Nabu and SAP.
Thousands gathered outside the Kiev presidential office Tuesday night to protest.
Despite the continued threat from the nightly Russian air attacks, smaller gatherings were also held in Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv and Smee. The rally was the first anti-government demonstration since Moscow began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The fight against corruption is seen as closely tied to Kiev’s prospects for integration within the EU. This is the path that began when anti-government protests were driven out by pro-Lucia President Viktor Jankovich in support of his close ties with the West.
The creation of NABU and SAP was one of the requirements set by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund more than a decade ago, in the easing of visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU.
In 2022, Kiev was recognized for the coveted status of the EU candidate. This is an important development that has supported the spirit and strengthened relationship between Ukraine and its European supporters.
Now, Zelensky’s movement could undermine Kiev’s increased proximity to the west. This is why many Ukrainians feel their country continues to pay for the onslaught of Russia. “The life of corruption – the future will die,” read one placard of Kiev’s protest.
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Ukrainian grafts are endemic and the country currently ranks 105 out of 180 on the transparent International corruption recognition index. The rating may be low, but it still shows a 39-point improvement since the creation of NABU and SAP in 2014.
Since then, the two agencies have been involved in extensive investigation into the misappropriation of assets worth millions of dollars and bribery across various ministries and sectors.
In 2023, a joint investigation led to the arrest of Ukraine’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Vsevolod Kniaziev in connection with a benign of $3 million (£2.4 million, €2.9 million) of bribes. Earlier this month, Nab also appeared as he was searching for former defense minister Olexi Reznikov’s residence.
Currently, Nabu and SAP must operate under presidential supervision, and some wonder if a well-known figure close to the government will avoid scrutiny. By cutting the independence of the bodies, the government “destroyed everything it has worked for years,” a Kiev protester told Radio Liberty.
More protests were expected in many more cities across Ukraine on Wednesday night despite a nationwide ban on large gatherings under martial law.
The “scandalous” law passed on Tuesday “has taken a serious blow to Ukraine’s European integration process,” another outlet, Dilkaro Tizinia, warned that Zelenkie has “a step towards authoritarianism.”
Masi Nayem, a well-known war veteran, told 54,000 Facebook followers he joined Kiev’s protest as a “duty” to Russian war victims. “I fought for the people and for the democratic system,” he added.
European allies also rang alarm bells. The law “blocked Ukraine’s path to the EU,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadehul and French Minister of European Affairs Benjamin Haddad urged Kiev to reverse the decision.
However, Zelensky doubled after meetings with Nabu and SAP representatives on Wednesday. He admitted the protest and promised to create a joint plan to combat corruption within two weeks, but also emphasized the need for unity against the “Russian Occupants.”
In a joint statement, the two agencies were pushed back and robbed of the assurances that allowed them to effectively fight corruption. They also thanked the Ukrainians for their “principle position, active support and concerns.”
On Wednesday, the start of a third round speech between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul was seen. However, the attention of many Ukrainians was firmly present in the new bill, not because there was little concrete hope of progress in either Moscow or Kiev.
“This is a government outlaw,” a resident of LVIV, known as Liza, told Radio Liberty. “We don’t have to fight both Russia and our own government.”
