What is 'Russian influence' in Ukraine's corruption that Zelensky is talking about?

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3 days ago

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy pledged a new anti-corruption bill amid EU criticism and protests over a controversial law weakening watchdogs. The move comes as Russia intensifies attacks and Kyiv faces mounting pressure on reforms and foreign aid read more
Thousands of people protest against a law targeting anti-corruption institutions near the President's Office in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared on Thursday that he will present a new anti-corruption bill to Ukraine's Parliament, in an additional effort to soothe tensions after approving modifications to graft legislation that sparked a public uproar and severe condemnation from the European Union.
Opponents of the contentious law enacted by the lawmakers and signed by Zelenskyy earlier this week said that it deprived Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdogs of their independence by giving the government more control over their work.
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Zelenskyy stated that it was necessary to speed up investigations, assure more convictions, and remove 'Russian influence' from the battle against corruption, although he did not cite specific examples of Russian intervention.
On Thursday, Zelenskyy abruptly announced that he had drafted a new anti-corruption measure that 'guarantees the real strengthening of the law and order system in Ukraine.'
In a Telegram post, Zelenskyy said, 'The most important thing is real tools, no Russian connections, and the independence of the (watchdogs).'
After almost three years of fending off Russia's full-scale invasion, the declaration seemed to give in to recent pressure that threatened to erode public confidence in Ukraine's leaders. The protests have not demanded Zelenskyy's removal, but they are the first significant anti-government demonstrations since the conflict began.
'It is important that we maintain unity,' Zelenskyy stated in his Telegram post.
The announcement also left some questions unanswered. Zelenskyy had said Wednesday that he met with the heads of Ukraine's key anti-corruption and security agencies and gave them two weeks to make recommendations on how the graft law could be improved before he presented another bill to Parliament.
Despite that assurance, further street protests were scheduled for Thursday evening.
The new pronouncement also left unclear whether Zelenskyy intended to revoke the law that he approved earlier in the week after Parliament had passed it. He didn't publicize details about the proposed new law.
The unrest has come at a difficult time in the all-out war, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Russia's bigger army is accelerating its efforts to pierce Ukraine's front-line defenses and is escalating its bombardment of Ukrainian cities.
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Ukraine is also facing a question mark over whether the United States will provide more military aid and whether European commitments can take up the slack, with no end in sight to the war.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for a third round of talks in as many months Wednesday. But once again, the talks were brief and delivered no major breakthrough.
Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid in the war. It's also an effort that enjoys broad public support.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern Wednesday over the new law, calling it 'a serious step back.' The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticized parliament's decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and damages trust with international partners.
Meanwhile, Russian planes dropped two powerful glide bombs on the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, on Thursday morning, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. At least 37 people were wounded, including a 28-day-old baby, a 10-year-old girl and two 17 year olds, authorities said.
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The southern city of Odesa, and Cherkasy in central Ukraine, were also hit overnight, authorities said. The drone and missile strikes on the cities wounded 11 people, including a 9-year-old, and damaged historic landmarks and residential buildings, officials said.
Ukraine has sought to step up its own long-range drone attacks on Russia, using domestic technology and manufacturing.
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi killed two women and wounded 11 other people, local authorities said Thursday.
An oil depot was hit, officials said, without offering details.