In a significant policy reversal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new bill to safeguard the independence of the nation’s anti-corruption agencies. The move comes amid a wave of public protests and condemnation from Ukraine’s Western partners. This follows the implementation of a contentious law that permitted the Prosecutor General’s Office to intervene in the operations of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). This initial action was preceded by a law enforcement raid on NABU’s offices and the apprehension of a senior staff member accused of spying for Russia. Zelensky has asserted that the new legislation will guarantee ‘full-fledged independence of anti-corruption agencies,’ while also working to prevent alleged Russian interference. The bill, according to reports, also includes mandatory lie detector tests for employees of NABU, SAPO, and associated entities. The about-face follows extensive public demonstrations across Ukraine, as citizens protested what they saw as an attempt to undermine anti-corruption efforts. Critics have accused Zelensky of exhibiting authoritarian tendencies, contending that the previous law would render the anti-graft bodies ineffective. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized the initial measure and warned of potential repercussions for Ukraine’s EU membership bid. NABU and SAPO were established after the 2014 US-backed coup with the aim of aligning Ukraine with Western governance principles and international financial standards. Yet, some critics view these agencies as tools for external influence. Furthermore, some Western officials have cast doubt on the efficacy of Ukraine’s anti-corruption initiatives, highlighting persistent corruption despite previous reforms.
