Ukraine’s reaction is growing after the Zelensky bands anti -corruption bodies

The Ukrainian Government is faced with an increasing reaction after the president of the Loladimir Zelensky has signed a law restricting the independence of two anti -corruption agencies.

Together, the bill gives control of the national fight with corruption (NABU) and the specialized anti -corruption prosecutor’s office (SAP) Prosecutor General appointed by the President.

Protes began on Tuesday, and much more was scheduled for Wednesday night.

The Western allies of Kiev expressed dissatisfaction with the law. The press -secretary of the European Commission Head of Ursul von der Leyen said she had asked for “explanations” from the Ukrainian government.

Zelensky claimed that it was necessary to accept the provisions, since Nabu and the ruin allowed the criminal case to stagnate for years and insisted that they should be “cleared of Russian influence”.

He signed the Law Bill on Tuesday after received support for 263 deputies out of 324.

Many Ukrainians outside the parliament – Rada – do not agree with the decision. Critics say the law greatly undermines the authority and efficiency of Nabu and SAP.

On Tuesday evening, thousands gathered near the presidential office in Kiev to protest.

Smaller rallies were also held in Odessa, Dnieper, Lviv and Sami – despite the constant threat from the night Russian air attacks. The meetings were the largest anti -government demonstrations, as Moscow launched a full -scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The fight against corruption is regarded as closely related to Kiev’s prospects for integration into the EU-along in 2014, when anti-government protests supplanted pro-Russian President Viktor Yankuvich in favor of closer ties with the West.

Creating Nabu and SAP was one of the requirements provided by the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund more than a decade ago to move to visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU.

In 2022, Kiev was granted the desired EU candidate’s status – significant development, which strengthened the spirits and strengthened ties between Ukraine and its European supporters.

Now there is concern about the step of Zelenski can undermine the growth of Kiev’s closeness to the West – the reason many Ukrainians believe that their country continues to pay the price of the Russian. “Corruption of life – the future dies,” – read one poster on Kiev protest.

Press -Secretary of the von der Leyen once again confirmed that respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption were the “basic elements” of EU membership – and as a candidate’s country, Ukraine had to support these standards. “There can be no compromise,” he added.

The vaccination in Ukraine is endemic, and the country currently occupies 105 of 180 in the TRANSPARNCY International Corruption Index. The rating may be low – but it, however, means an improvement of 39 points, as Nabu and SAP were created in 2014.

Since then, both bodies have participated in far -field investigations in the illegal assets and bribes of millions of dollars in different ministries and sectors.

In 2023, a joint investigation led to The arrest of the head of the Supreme Court of UkraineVsevolod Kniaziev, due to a $ 3 million bribe (£ 2.4 million. Earlier this month, it also appeared, Nabo’s searches at the residence of former Defense Minister Oleksa Resnits.

Now NABU and SAP will have to work under the president’s supervision, forcing some to wonder if there will be loud numbers close to the government. Having rolled the independence of the bodies, the government “destroyed everything that has worked for years,” said one protest in Kiev Radio Liberty.

Despite the nationwide ban on mass meetings within the martial law, an even greater number of cities across Ukraine were expected on Wednesday night.

The “scandalous” law adopted on Tuesday, “a critical strike on the European integration process of Ukraine,” said the Ukrainian truth, while another rosette, Drack Taizhni, warned that Zelensky made a “step towards authoritarianism.”

A well -known veteran of the war, Mass, told his 54,000 followers on Facebook that he had joined the protest rally in Kiev as a “duty” to the victims of the Russian war. “I fought for the nation, for the people and the democratic system,” he added.

European allies also sounded bells. The legislation “hindered Ukraine’s path to the EU”, – said German Foreign Minister Johann Vadeful and French Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad called on Kiev to turn his decision.

But on Wednesday, after meeting with Nab and SAP representatives, Zelensky doubled. He acknowledged the protests and promised to create a joint plan for corruption for two weeks – but also emphasized the need for unity against the “Russian occupiers”.

In a joint statement, two agencies were pushing back and stated that they were deprived of guarantees that allowed them to fight corruption effectively. They also thanked the Ukrainians for the “principled position, active support and concern.”

The third round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul took place on Wednesday. But many Ukrainians were firmly firmly in the new bill – not just because there was little hope in Moscow or Kiev.

“This is a government lawlessness,” said Lisov Lisa Lisa Liberty resident. “We do not want to fight Russia and our own government.”