European leaders have praised Ukraine’s decision to reinstate the independence of its main anti-corruption institutions, following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s signing of a new law that reverses a controversial bill passed just a week earlier.
The Ukrainian parliament overwhelmingly backed the new legislation, with 331 out of 340 lawmakers voting in favor on Thursday a strong constitutional majority.
The move comes in the wake of large-scale protests that erupted across the country after lawmakers had earlier approved a bill placing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under government control.
Those demonstrations marked Ukraine’s first significant wave of public dissent since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
President Zelensky initially defended the earlier bill, describing it as necessary to purge the agencies of alleged “Russian influence.” Two staff members from one of the bodies were recently detained on suspicion of spying for Russian intelligence.
However, in a dramatic reversal on Thursday, Zelensky announced via social media platform X that he had reconsidered the decision after listening to public outcry. “This is the right decision,” he wrote. “It is very important that the state listens to public opinion… Ukraine is a democracy without a doubt.”
Zelensky said the newly signed law ensures the independent operation of anti-corruption bodies and other law enforcement agencies. It also mandates routine polygraph checks for personnel with access to classified information or with relatives in Russia.
The European Union swiftly welcomed the move, viewing it as a crucial step in Ukraine’s efforts to align with EU standards amid its push for membership.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa jointly described the legislation as a “welcome step” on X. “Ukraine’s rule of law and anti-corruption reforms should continue. They remain essential for Ukraine’s progress on the European path,” they stated.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, echoed the sentiment. “Restoring the powers of anti-corruption bodies demonstrates Ukraine’s resolve to get back on course when European democratic values are at stake,” she wrote.
Diplomatic support also came from several EU nations, including Germany, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Malta, and the Czech Republic reinforcing the importance of the reform as Ukraine continues its quest for EU accession.
Ukraine has long battled a reputation for deep-rooted corruption, and Brussels has repeatedly stressed that implementing robust anti-graft mechanisms is non-negotiable for EU membership.