Zelensky backtracks on corruption reform that enraged Ukrainians and sparked protests in Kyiv

Daily Mail​

5 days ago

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky backtracked on a proposed corruption reform bill after facing nationwide protests for the first time since the war with Russia erupted.
Zelensky on Wednesday said he had approved a draft bill guaranteeing the freedom of anti-corruption bodies, a move the EU welcomed.
'I have just approved the text of a draft law that guarantees real strengthening of the rule of law in Ukraine, independence of anti-corruption bodies and reliable protection of the rule of law from any Russian influence or interference,' Zelensky wrote on social media.
He said the new bill would be submitted to parliament on Thursday.
'It is important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine,' he added.
A statement released by Downing Street today after Keir Starmer and Zelensky spoke on the phone said: 'The President began by thanking the Prime Minister for the UK's continued support for Ukraine, including the sanctions announced earlier this week targeting Russia's energy revenues, which play a vital part in stopping Putin 's war machine. They agreed international partners must continue to ramp up the pressure on Russia.
'The Prime Minister underlined the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine, and the leaders agreed on the importance of the role of independent anti-corruption institutions at the heart of Ukraine's democracy.
'Both leaders underscored that Putin must come to the negotiation table and agree an unconditional ceasefire to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.'
'They agreed to keep in touch.'
Thousands took to the streets across Ukraine this week to protest against changes that would remove the independence of key anti-graft agencies.
They were the country's first large-scale demonstrations since the war started more than three years ago.
Protesters in central Kyiv, close to Zelensky's office, chanted 'Shame' and 'Veto the Law'.
'It's like a knife in the back, to be honest,' Maryna Mykhalchuk, 26, who has friends killed in the war and plans to join the army soon, told Reuters.
That law - swiftly approved by the parliament and signed by Zelensky on the same day - places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.
The Ukrainian parliament recently passed a law endowing a president-appointed prosecutor general with control over the investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO)
Parliament is expected to hold an emergency session next week to consider the new draft bill from Zelenskiy's office, several lawmakers said.
The law prompted some of Ukraine's European allies to deliver their strongest criticism of Zelenskiy's government since Russia's invasion in February 2022.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her strong concern to Zelenskiy and asked for an explanation.