Volodymyr Zelenskyy has defended his approval of a contentious bill that weakens Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies, triggering the first serious protests against his government. The legislation, passed by the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, strips the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the specialised anti-corruption prosecutor's office, giving sweeping new powers to the prosecutor general.
Critics argue the law allows political interference and marks a major step backwards in the fight against corruption. In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said he had spoken with the Nabu chief and other prosecutors, claiming the bodies would continue to function "but without any Russian influence. It all must be cleansed."
About 1,500 protesters gathered outside the presidential administration in Kyiv, shouting slogans such as "Shame" and "Veto the law." Demonstrations also took place in Dnipro, Lviv, and Odesa. Protesters included students, activists, and army veterans, with Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko also in attendance.
Many expressed fears that the move would hinder Ukraine's hopes of joining the European Union. "If the bill goes ahead it will make it harder for Ukraine to join the EU. We will go back to dictatorship," said protester Sasha Kazintseva. Others drew comparisons to the era of former pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych.
Prominent soldiers, a celebrity chef, and Ukraine's media condemned the law. Writer Illia Ponomarenko described civil society as fighting "the dark side of its own state" in parallel with the war against Russia. Several international supporters, including former US ambassador Mike McFaul and Estonian ex-president Toomas Hendrik Ilves, expressed concern.
