Kiev, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian activists have called for more protests to the law, saying they have weakened the country’s anti-corruption agencies. The legislation also drew condemnation from EU officials and international rights groups.
On Tuesday night, thousands of people gathered in Ukraine’s capital and other cities to urge President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to veto a controversial bill passed by the Ukrainian parliament earlier in the day. After Zelenskyy approved it, activists called for another demonstration on social media at the Kiev Center at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The legislation strengthens supervision of two major anti-corruption agencies. Critics say this step can significantly weaken the independence of these institutions and that Grant Zelenskyy’s circle has a greater impact on the investigation.
Fighting deep-rooted corruption is crucial for Ukraine’s desire to join the EU and maintain billions of dollars in Western aid in the fight against Russia’s three-year invasion.
Instead of vetoing the bill, Zelenskyy signed it into law and defended it, a move that risked public support after more than three years of war with Russia.
Zelenskyy said the measure cleared “Russian influence” from the fight against corruption and ensured that those convicted were punished because he said it was a delay in long-term criminal proceedings in criminal proceedings involving a large amount of money.
“That’s what Ukraine really needs,” Zelenskyy said in a telegram post after midnight on Wednesday. “The cases that have been dormant must be investigated.”
“For years, officials who fled Ukraine have been living abroad for some reason – in a very good country with no legal consequences – that’s not normal,” he said.
He did not provide examples of what he said was Russian intervention.
Russian officials appreciate Zelensky’s difficulties. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova mocked Zelenskyy’s claim that Russia infiltrates anti-corruption agencies and sarcastically said: “They may pull a few bears from the corner.”
Zelenskyy has always been the international face of Ukraine’s determination to defeat Russia’s full-strength invasion, and his domestic troubles are unwelcome war efforts.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine will hold two months of direct talks in Istanbul on Wednesday, although the Kremlin did not confirm the date or location and its spokesperson warned against expecting “any magical breakthrough” at the meeting.
These changes will grant prosecutors new powers in general, including investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Agency of Ukraine (NABU) and the dedicated Office of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor (SAPO).
In an article on X, EU’s expansion commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern about the vote of the Ukrainian parliament, called “RADA”, calling it a “serious step back”.
The Ukrainian international branch of Transparency criticized the parliament’s decision, saying it undermined one of the most important reforms since what Ukraine called it a revolution in dignity in 2014 and undermined the trust of international partners. It accused the authorities of “demolishing” anti-corruption buildings in the country.
On Tuesday, the crowd won the anger and frustration of war-torn Ukrainians. Some protesters accuse Ukraine leaders of prioritizing loyalty and personal connections over fighting against corruption.
“Those who vow to protect the law and the constitution choose to cover up their inner circle, even at the expense of Ukrainian democracy,” said veteran Oleh Symoroz, who was in a wheelchair after his legs were amputated after being injured in 2022.
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