Zelenskyy Reverses Law, Restores Anti-Corruption Independence

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Zelenskyy Reverses Law, Restores Anti-Corruption Independence \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Zelenskyy has submitted a revised bill to fully reinstate the procedural independence of Ukraine’s main anti‑corruption bodies. The move comes after public protests and criticism from the EU over a law that had weakened these agencies’ powers. The new legislation clearly bars government interference and strengthens protections against Russian infiltration.

Quick Looks

Zelenskyy reverses controversial anti‑corruption law amid protests.
New bill reinstates independence of NABU and SAPO.
Agencies participated in drafting and request rapid adoption.
Prosecutors barred from directing or interfering with investigations.
Mandatory polygraph tests proposed to counter Russian influence.
Protests marked the first major domestic anti‑government demonstrations during the war.
Moves seen as key to maintaining EU and U.S. support.
Russian airstrikes continue amid internal political turmoil.
Civil society and Transparency International flagged law rollback.
Revised legislation aims to restore public and international trust.

Deep Look

In a significant political and legislative pivot, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a new bill aimed at restoring the full independence of Ukraine’s primary anti-corruption bodies, following intense domestic protests and mounting international criticism. The move comes just days after Zelenskyy approved a controversial law that had, according to critics, dangerously undermined the autonomy of institutions critical to Ukraine’s democratic integrity and its European Union accession ambitions.

This reversal, described by observers as a rare but strategic political U-turn, highlights the growing importance of judicial and institutional independence in Ukraine’s wartime governance—and the continued pressure from civil society, international allies, and EU policymakers to hold Kyiv to its reform promises, even as Russian missiles continue to devastate its cities.

The Backdrop: A Crisis of Trust

Earlier this week, Zelenskyy signed into law a bill that would have allowed greater executive oversight over Ukraine’s two central anti-corruption agencies: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). The legislation, though promoted by the government as a measure to streamline investigations and improve coordination, was widely perceived as a rollback of judicial independence.

The law sparked an immediate backlash. Large-scale protests erupted in Kyiv, marking the first major domestic demonstrations since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Civil society groups, legal scholars, and watchdogs warned that the measure represented a regression in Ukraine’s reform progress and risked alienating international partners. Transparency International Ukraine called it “a serious breach of public trust” and “a threat to one of the nation’s cornerstone reforms.”

The European Union, a key supporter of Ukraine’s war and reconstruction efforts, expressed alarm. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos criticized the law as “a serious step back,” implying that the legislation could impact Ukraine’s EU candidacy status and its access to billions in aid.

The Reversal: Reinstating Agency Autonomy

In response to this political and civic pressure, President Zelenskyy on Thursday submitted a new draft bill to Ukraine’s parliament. The legislation, which was co-drafted with NABU and SAPO leadership, seeks to fully restore the procedural independence of the agencies. It includes explicit guarantees that no orders or directives can be issued to the agencies by the Prosecutor General or other political figures, protecting them from political interference.

The new bill also introduces additional national security measures, including mandatory polygraph testing for law enforcement and judicial officials, in a bid to minimize Russian infiltration and manipulation within Ukraine’s legal system.

Zelenskyy described the updated legislation as “balanced, pragmatic, and focused on safeguarding Ukraine’s institutions from both internal and external threats.” He stressed that the draft not only reverses the damaging provisions of the previous law but also incorporates modern security tools to “combat Russian influence in all its forms.”

Agency and Civic Response

The response from Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions was swift and positive. Both NABU and SAPO released a joint statement welcoming the bill and confirming their role in its drafting. They emphasized that the legislation would “restore critical tools necessary to carry out investigations effectively” and urged lawmakers to pass the bill “without delay” to prevent disruption of ongoing high-level corruption cases.

Beyond the agencies themselves, legal analysts and civil rights groups hailed the development as a crucial course correction. They underscored the importance of the bill’s swift passage, noting that any further delay could jeopardize Ukraine’s standing with the European Union, undermine Western military and financial support, and cause irreparable damage to Ukraine’s hard-won reputation for post-2014 democratic reform.

The Public’s Voice

While the protests in Kyiv and other major cities have not escalated into calls for Zelenskyy’s resignation, they reflect a growing frustration among Ukrainians who expect their government to maintain transparency, even in times of war. The demonstrators, many of whom had been ardent supporters of Zelenskyy’s anti-corruption platform, called for the restoration of agency independence, warning that democratic backsliding would only embolden Russian propaganda and weaken Ukraine’s negotiating position abroad.

On Thursday night, after news of the new draft bill broke, protests continued but in a less confrontational tone. Many demonstrators held signs reading “Restore the Reform” and “No Corruption Under Fire,” reflecting hope that the president had heard their demands.

War Continues as Reform Pressures Mount

While political focus in Kyiv shifts toward legal reform, the war continues to rage. On the same day the new bill was introduced:

Two women were killed and 14 injured after Russian glide bombs struck the eastern industrial city of Kostiantynivka, according to Donetsk regional officials.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, 42 people were injured, including young children, when Russian forces dropped precision-guided bombs into civilian neighborhoods.
Drone and missile strikes also struck the cities of Odesa and Cherkasy, injuring 11 people and damaging residential and cultural sites.
Ukraine, in turn, intensified its long-range drone campaign, targeting Russian cities such as Sochi, where two people were killed and an oil depot was hit.

The simultaneous pressures of reform, warfare, and humanitarian response underscore the complexity of Ukraine’s political landscape—and the stakes for getting things right.

The Bigger Picture

With continued delays in U.S. military aid and uncertainty about long-term European defense commitments, Ukraine must navigate both the front lines and the political trenches. Fighting corruption remains a critical test of Ukraine’s resilience, reform agenda, and alignment with the West.

Zelenskyy’s reversal is not just a policy shift—it’s a strategic recalibration aimed at restoring public faith, satisfying international partners, and reinforcing Ukraine’s democratic credentials. It also underscores that even in wartime, the rule of law must prevail.

As parliament prepares to debate and vote on the new draft, all eyes—both domestic and international—remain on Kyiv. The decision will not only define the future of Ukraine’s anti-corruption framework but may well influence the trajectory of its war-time governance, EU membership aspirations, and postwar reconstruction.