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 since the full-scale war began. The law, passed by parliament on Tuesday, strips the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of their independence, giving sweeping new powers to the prosecutor general.
Critics say the legislation allows political interference and constitutes a major setback in the fight against corruption, potentially hindering Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union. In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said the bodies would continue to function “but without any Russian influence. It all must be cleansed.” He argued the move would ensure “real accountability” for lawbreakers.
About 1,500 protesters gathered outside Zelenskyy’s office in Kyiv, with further demonstrations in Dnipro, Lviv and Odesa. The crowd included students, activists and army veterans waving banners reading “Shame” and “Veto the law”. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko joined the protest alongside his brother Wladimir. “If the bill goes ahead it will make it harder for Ukraine to join the European Union. We will go back to dictatorship,” said protester Sasha Kazintseva.
Several high-profile international figures expressed concern, including former US ambassador to Moscow Mike McFaul and Estonian ex-president Toomas Hendrik Ilves. However, observers noted that protesters could freely voice anti-government opinions, unlike in Russia. The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, called for dialogue to resolve internal contradictions, saying “we have one common misfortune, one enemy”.
