Zelensky Faces Backlash Over Law Limiting Anti-Corruption Agency Independence

Tue Oct 21 2025 09:43:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Widespread protests erupt in Ukraine after President Zelensky signs a controversial bill granting the government control over key anti-corruption agencies, sparking fears of increased corruption.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent signing of a law that curtails the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies has ignited significant public backlash, with protests erupting across major cities. Critics argue this move undermines anti-corruption efforts essential for Ukraine's European integration, while Zelensky defends it as necessary to combat stagnation and Russian influence.

Ukraine's government is grappling with intense public disapproval following President Volodymyr Zelensky's enactment of legislation that restricts the independence of two crucial anti-corruption institutions. The newly signed law grants oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap) to the prosecutor general, an official appointed by the president, fueling widespread concerns over increased governmental control over anti-corruption efforts.

Zelensky contends that the reforms are necessary as Nabu and Sap have allegedly allowed criminal investigations to stagnate, claiming they must be "cleansed from Russian influence." The controversial bill secured approval from 263 out of 324 legislative members, but this has done little to quell public dissent. Lively protests sprang up outside the presidential office in Kyiv and other cities, including Odesa and Lviv, marking the first significant anti-government demonstrations since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

The fight against corruption in Ukraine is pivotal to its aspirations of closer integration with the European Union (EU), a goal that gained momentum following political upheaval in 2014, which replaced pro-Russian leadership with pro-European sentiment. Since the establishment of Nabu and Sap, Ukraine has seen a marked improvement in its Corruption Perceptions Index, yet critics warn that the latest legislative actions may jeopardize these gains and damage Ukraine's relationship with European allies.

During the protests, demonstrators branded placards that read "Corruption lives— the future dies," and voiced their demands for Zelensky to veto the law. Despite a nationwide ban on mass gatherings under martial law, additional protests are anticipated across Ukraine. The emergence of a more authoritarian stance by Zelensky's government has been condemned by prominent figures and has raised concerns in international circles, with leaders from Germany and France urging for a retraction of the law.

In response to the protests, Zelensky met with representatives from Nabu and Sap, acknowledging the public discontent and vowing to outline a new corruption-fighting strategy within two weeks. However, the two agencies expressed frustration, asserting that the latest changes hinder their ability to effectively combat corruption, emphasizing the need for continuous public support in their ongoing struggles.

As talks between Russia and Ukraine resume in Istanbul, many citizens are more focused on the implications of the new law than on the diplomatic discussions, reflecting worries over governance issues amidst external threats. "This is government lawlessness," declared a protestor from Lviv, illustrating the gravity of public sentiment regarding Zelensky's recent moves.