Kyiv: In a move that has sparked alarm both domestically and internationally, the Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday passed a contentious bill that curtails the independence of the country’s key anti-corruption institutions the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). The legislation allows the Prosecutor General, a presidential appointee, to reassign cases and reallocate prosecutors within these agencies, effectively placing them under tighter governmental control.
The bill, which secured majority support in the Verkhovna Rada, has been positioned by its proponents as a measure to improve oversight and coordination among law enforcement agencies. Supporters argue it streamlines investigative procedures during wartime and enhances administrative efficiency. However, critics have strongly condemned the legislation as a blow to Ukraine’s post-Maidan anti-corruption reforms and an attack on the institutions that have played a central role in holding powerful figures accountable.
Semen Kryvonos, the Director of NABU, was among the most vocal critics, warning that the law undermines the operational independence of anti-corruption bodies. "This bill opens the door for political interference and significantly damages the credibility of our institutions," he said, calling on President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to veto the legislation.
The law’s passage coincides with a wave of controversial actions by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), including the arrest of two NABU officers on suspicion of leaking classified information and alleged connections with Russian entities. Offices of NABU and SAPO were also subjected to sweeping searches, raising questions about the motives and timing of the operations. Many civil society leaders and watchdog organizations view the raids as politically charged attempts to intimidate independent investigators.
International reactions have been swift. Diplomats from the European Union and G7 countries expressed concern that the bill could reverse years of hard-earned progress in institutional reform. Given Ukraine’s ongoing bid for EU membership, maintaining judicial and prosecutorial independence is viewed as non-negotiable by Brussels. A European Commission spokesperson emphasized that "any deviation from established anti-corruption principles may jeopardize Ukraine’s integration prospects."
Domestically, opposition MPs and civic activists condemned the move as a dangerous slide toward executive overreach. They argue that during a time when Ukraine must demonstrate resilience and democratic strength, weakening anti-corruption mechanisms only undermines public trust and international solidarity.
Cardinal to Ukraine's Western support and accession goals is its commitment to anti-corruption reform one of the pillars of post-2014 democratic reconstruction. The newly passed law, however, has now cast a shadow over these efforts, raising fears that political expediency is being placed above transparency and accountability.
As the final step, the bill now awaits President Zelenskiy’s approval. All eyes are on the Ukrainian leader to see whether he will side with reformists or support a legislative agenda critics say is increasingly centralizing power. The future of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agenda and its broader democratic credibility may now hinge on his decision.