New Law Puts Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Bodies Under Prosecutor General’s Control

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a controversial bill that critics argue undermines the independence of the country’s top anti-corruption agencies. The legislation places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) under the direct control of the prosecutor general, a move widely seen as a threat to judicial independence and transparency.

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Mass Protests Erupt Across Ukraine

Following the bill’s signing, mass protests erupted in Kyiv, marking the largest anti-government demonstrations since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Hundreds gathered with signs that read “We chose Europe, not autocracy” and “My father did not die for this”, echoing fears that the legislation could reverse Ukraine’s democratic progress.

Smaller but vocal demonstrations also took place in Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa, highlighting national discontent over the bill’s implications.

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Zelensky Defends Bill, Cites Russian Influence and Inaction

In his nightly televised address, Zelensky defended the new law, asserting that Ukraine’s current anti-corruption system was ineffective and susceptible to foreign manipulation.

“There is no rational explanation for why criminal proceedings worth billions have been ‘hanging’ for years,” Zelensky stated.

He insisted that the prosecutor general would guarantee “the inevitability of punishment” for corrupt actors and claimed the restructuring was necessary to purge the agencies of “Russian influence.”

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Critics Warn of Centralized Power and Judicial Interference

Opponents of the law—including civil society groups, anti-corruption watchdogs, and Western allies—warn that it could compromise ongoing investigations, as the prosecutor general, Ruslan Kravchenko, a known Zelensky loyalist, will now have the power to reassign or close sensitive corruption cases.

Analysts fear the change concentrates too much power in the hands of a single office, potentially allowing political interference in key legal processes and jeopardizing Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations.

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International Concerns Over Ukraine’s Democratic Path

The legislation has drawn concern from international partners, including European and US officials, who have repeatedly praised Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts as central to its reform agenda and critical to maintaining support in its fight against Russian aggression.

Critics say the move risks backsliding on hard-won gains in transparency and good governance, especially at a time when Ukraine is striving to align its institutions with European Union standards as part of its accession process.

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What’s Next for Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Fight?

As Ukraine continues to fight a brutal war on the front lines, this latest move raises pressing questions about the balance between national security and democratic accountability. While Zelensky’s administration frames the bill as a step toward efficiency and reform, opponents see it as a dangerous slide toward centralization and authoritarian control.

The coming weeks will likely test the resilience of Ukraine’s civil society, the independence of its judiciary, and the credibility of its democratic trajectory amid war.

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