Under Pressure Zelensky Back Tracks, Seeks Soldier Pay Boost

Newsweek

25-07-2025

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking to reverse course after a political backlash erupted over new legislation perceived to undercut Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies.
Zelensky announced plans to introduce new legislation to restore the independence of key institutions and simultaneously proposed increasing pay for Ukrainian soldiers, after facing mass protests and international criticism.
The policy reversal follows Ukraine's parliament passing a law that subordinates the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) to the Prosecutor General.
Newsweek reached out to Zelensky's office via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Zelensky faced rare public protests and criticism from Western partners after approving a law that diminished the independence of Ukraine's primary anti-corruption agencies. The law threatened to erode public trust, jeopardize Ukraine's prospects for receiving Western aid, and pose obstacles to its European Union accession ambitions at a time when Russian forces continue military offensives against Ukrainian cities.
What To Know
On July 22, Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved legislation that places the country's two top anti-corruption bodies, the NABU and SAPO, under the authority of the Prosecutor General.
Zelensky signed the bill on July 23, despite warnings from agency directors and civil society leaders that it would undermine hard-fought reforms implemented since 2014 and diminish the agencies' independence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome on July 10, 2025.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome on July 10, 2025.
Getty Images
The law triggered nationwide protests, the largest since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war, led by veterans and activists who argued it reversed a decade of progress.
Dmytro Koziatynskyi, a war veteran and protest organizer, called the legislation "an assault on the anti-corruption framework" and urged mass mobilization to prevent a "return to the dark days of [Former President Viktor] Yanukovych."
In response to mounting domestic and European Union criticism, and following public demonstrations, Zelensky acknowledged the backlash and announced on July 25 that he would submit a new bill to "restore the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies."
The proposed revision promises to strengthen the agencies' independence, reestablish checks and balances, and introduce new measures, such as polygraph tests for law enforcement officers, to address concerns of Russian influence.
The turmoil around anti-corruption policy comes as Ukraine faces deadly Russian attacks in major cities, compounding fears about the country's internal stability and its standing with foreign partners.
It also coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pause U.S. military aid to Ukraine pending evidence of readiness for peace negotiations.
Zelensky plans to ask European allies to help finance better salaries for troops resisting Russia's invasion, telling reporters on Thursday that: "Previously, Europeans refused to provide funding for the salaries of our military personnel, only for weapons.
"Our service members themselves can be the weapon that protects everyone."
What People Are Saying
European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier, in a statement: "These institutions are crucial to Ukraine's reform agenda and must operate independently to fight corruption and maintain public trust.
"Ukraine's EU accession will require a strong capacity to combat corruption and to ensure institutional resilience. The EU will continue to monitor the situation and support Ukraine in upholding the rule of law."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a video address: "There must be more justice. Of course, NABU and SAPO will continue their work. It's also important that the prosecutor general be committed to ensuring real accountability for those who break the law. This is what Ukraine truly needs."
What Happens Next
The fate of Zelensky's proposed legislation remains with the Ukrainian parliament. Anti-corruption agencies and their leaders have called for prompt passage to ensure that ongoing criminal investigations are unimpeded and Ukraine's reform trajectory remains aligned with Western standards.