Ukrainian President Defends Changes to Anti-Corruption Agencies

The President of Ukraine, Wolodymyr Zelensky, has addressed recent protests concerning a new law that impacts the independence of the country's leading anti-corruption agencies. In a statement on Telegram, he acknowledged the public's concerns, emphasizing that the government is aware of societal expectations regarding state institutions.

On the evening prior, over 1,000 individuals gathered in Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine to protest the legislation, marking the largest demonstration in the country since the onset of the Russian invasion. Zelensky revealed that he has met with the heads of the affected agencies, namely the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, along with officials from the General Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He expressed a commitment to present a collaborative plan to combat corruption under the new legal framework within two weeks, although he did not provide specific details on this plan.

The contentious law, which was expedited through Parliament and signed by Zelensky, effectively places the previously autonomous anti-corruption offices under the authority of the General Prosecutor's Office. This development raises concerns among critics since the General Prosecutor is appointed directly by the President, potentially allowing for presidential influence over anti-corruption efforts. The law grants the General Prosecutor the authority to reassign cases initiated by anti-corruption agencies to other judicial bodies, issue directives to these agencies, and request access to their files.

Semen Krywonos, the head of the anti-corruption bureau, criticized the legislation as a significant blow to the integrity of his agency. Various Ukrainian media outlets have suggested that Zelensky's actions could undermine the nation's aspirations to join the European Union, as effective corruption control and judicial reform are critical prerequisites set forth by the European Commission for Ukraine's EU membership.

International reactions have been predominantly negative, with representatives from the EU, G7, and Germany expressing their discontent with Zelensky's approach to anti-corruption agencies. The President justified the new law by claiming it aims to reduce Russian influence within these institutions and enhance the efficiency of investigations, pointing to instances where cases have lingered for years without resolution. This legislation follows searches conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) at anti-corruption agencies, which were linked to allegations of espionage against Russia. During these operations, an individual accused of leaking classified information to Russia was apprehended, although the searches occurred without judicial warrants, a decision the SBU attributed to the sensitivity of the situation.

The moves made by the Ukrainian administration have instilled worry about the ongoing reform processes within the country. Daniel Freund, a member of the European Parliament from the Green party, described the situation as a significant breach of trust, asserting that Ukraine's government is jeopardizing its EU accession efforts. Niclas Herbst, the chair of the EU budgetary committee, expressed his deep concern as a supporter of Ukraine, stressing the need for the country to stay on a progressive path to ensure that EU financial aid is effectively utilized.

Criticism has also emerged from Germany, where Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul remarked that the treatment of anti-corruption agencies could jeopardize Ukraine's path to EU membership. He reiterated the expectation for Ukraine to persist in its anti-corruption initiatives during his recent visit to Kyiv, where he met with leaders of both anti-corruption bodies.