Latest news with #Kiev
Russia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU cuts to Ukraine aid greater than acknowledged
Kiev is facing deeper cuts in EU financial support than publicly acknowledged, Ukrainian and German media have reported. Brussels reportedly views Ukraine's crackdown on anti-corruption institutions as an attempt to shield an ally of Vladimir Zelensky. Last Friday, the European Commission said it would reduce the fourth tranche of support under the Ukraine Facility program from the intended €4.5 billion ($5.2 billion) to €3.05 billion ($3.5 billion), citing Kiev's failure to meet commitments on anti-corruption reforms. Ukrainskaya Pravda reported on Tuesday that the program has been de facto frozen alongside another mechanism, ERA Loans, with a total of $60 billion at stake. On Monday, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) described an EU letter to the Ukrainian government outlining the threat of aid suspension. The Ukrainian government has placed the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the authority of the prosecutor general. Both institutions were established under Western guidance to function independently in rooting out high-level corruption. Following Western rebukes, Zelensky promised to reverse the decision, with legislation expected to be voted on Thursday. Zelensky defended the move as an effort to eliminate 'Russian influence' within the agencies, but EU experts reportedly found the explanation unconvincing. According to an internal analysis cited by FAZ and shared with EU embassies in Kiev, the changes were described as 'the largest interference in the affairs of the Ukrainian anti-corruption system since its inception.' The analysis also indicated that the action was likely prompted by NABU's investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Chernyshov, a close political ally and personal friend of Zelensky. Ukraine's security service (SBU) allegedly seized case files from NABU investigators, including the lead officer handling the probe, raising concerns about the admissibility of evidence and the integrity of the case. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed that Ukrainian bodies were designed not to combat corruption but to give Western governments leverage over Kiev.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Zelensky thought he was killing it. He was
Ukrainians have had plenty of reasons to take to the streets: the cancellation of elections, forced mobilization, the refusal to demobilize soldiers who've been on the front lines for over three years, the persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, corruption in the construction of fortifications, the state's failure to have the bodies of fallen soldiers returned, and – above all – the complete absence of a plan for ending the conflict with Russia. This list could go on. And yet, none of these issues has triggered large-scale protests. What we've seen instead are isolated outbursts: in towns and villages, women block draft officers from entering their neighborhoods; churchgoers physically defend their parishes; the wives and mothers of Ukrainian soldiers stage small rallies to draw attention to their plight. And yet, even in this atmosphere of fear and suppression, Vladimir Zelensky has managed to ignite a political crisis. The hasty passage of Bill No. 12414 – which stripped the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) of their independence – sparked a wave of demonstrations that haven't let up for days. It's the first major popular protest since the start of Russia's military operation, and it poses a serious challenge to Zelensky's grip on power. Rallies have broken out in Kiev, Lviv, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Rovno, and Nikolayev. While officials have tried to frame them as spontaneous, local expressions of concern about anti-corruption institutions, the scope and coordination suggest otherwise. The message to Zelensky is simple: the pressure is just beginning. To understand why the anti-corruption issue struck such a nerve, we need to go back to the beginning. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) were established in 2015 with active backing from the United States – just a year after the coup in Kiev. At the time, Ukraine's Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin openly stated that the idea for NABU came directly from then–Vice President Joe Biden. From the outset, these agencies functioned as tools of external oversight over the post-Maidan Ukrainian government. President Petro Poroshenko, who was still consolidating power and ideology, did not resist Washington's involvement. NABU's early targets included oligarchs like Igor Kolomoysky and Rinat Akhmetov, who controlled major media holdings. This suited Poroshenko, whose own business interests, notably, remained untouched. Over time, it became clear that Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies served not only their official mission but also the political interests of a specific faction – namely, the US Democratic Party. A prime example is the Paul Manafort case. In 2016, The New York Times, citing NABU sources, published claims that Manafort – then campaign chairman for Donald Trump – had received undisclosed payments from Ukraine's Party of Regions under President Viktor Yanukovych. These claims prompted a US investigation into possible Ukrainian interference in the American election. In 2019, the Senate ultimately found no evidence – but the episode left a lasting impression. That same year, NABU played a role in deflecting scrutiny from the Burisma scandal – the energy company whose board included Joe Biden's son, Hunter. Over time, the link between these anti-corruption institutions and the US Democratic Party became apparent to many Ukrainians. And with Republicans now back in power in Washington, Zelensky appears to have decided it was time to free himself from external control. Zelensky likely assumed that the new American administration wouldn't go out of its way to defend the Democratic Party's proxies in Ukraine. Judging by Washington's muted response, that calculation may have been correct. What he failed to consider, however, was the level of domestic resistance to his growing concentration of power. Ukraine today is full of pressure points. Discontent is widespread – but scattered and disorganized. Zelensky's opponents simply lack the means to unseat him. Moreover, Zelensky remains the centerpiece of the West's anti-Russian strategy – a leader willing to accept any domestic cost in service of that agenda. Even policies that threaten the foundations of Ukrainian statehood are tolerated, so long as the broader project of an 'anti-Russia' continues. That's why the West has looked the other way with regards to forced mobilization, canceled elections, and the refusal to rotate exhausted troops at the front. For a while, this gave Zelensky free rein to act inside the country. But now the ground is shifting. A key sign: the growing frustration among those who spent years working within grant-funded structures aligned with the US Democratic Party. Leading this informal coalition is former president Petro Poroshenko. Under threat of criminal prosecution, Poroshenko has spent months quietly building a new political bloc. He has the money, the media, and the electoral base – fractured as it may be. For this group, Zelensky's move against the anti-corruption agencies – in effect, a move against external oversight – is the perfect pretext to reassert themselves and reclaim a measure of Western support. Zelensky is unlikely to use force against protests centered on NABU and SAPO. Doing so would only strengthen the narrative that he's drifting toward authoritarianism. That's precisely why the demonstrations over Bill No. 12414 are a safer platform for opposition than protests against illegal military draft raids or other abuses by Ukraine's Territorial Recruitment Centers. The rallies have already attracted political heavyweights – including the Klitschko brothers, longtime rivals of Zelensky, and the legislator Maryana Bezuhla. The latter actually voted for the bill, but showed up at the protest claiming to support the Armed Forces – or perhaps simply to spite Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrsky, with whom she's long feuded. This kind of narrative hijacking is exactly what makes the protests dangerous for Zelensky. Like in 2013–2014, a movement that begins with one demand can quickly pick up steam – and new political slogans – until it snowballs into a full-blown crisis. The opposition is seizing its moment. Their goals may not fully align with Washington's, but they've succeeded in riding the wave – and that alone spells trouble for Zelensky. It's telling that Ukraine's Western partners haven't publicly condemned Zelensky. Still, pressure is clearly mounting – through media outlets, political messaging, and behind-the-scenes channels. This kind of restrained posture allows the West to maintain a façade of stability without toppling the political structure in Kiev. But a critical question remains: will the military join the protests? According to foreign media reports, commanders have been instructed to stay away. Nevertheless, a few servicemen have already been seen at the rallies. If their numbers grow, so too will the risks. Facing the threat of reduced military and financial support, Zelensky has backed down – at least for now. He submitted a new bill to the Rada that would restore the powers of NABU and SAPO. A vote is scheduled for July 31. It seems Europe has forced Zelensky to reverse course. If the law passes, the protesters may claim a symbolic victory. But it's far from over. Zelensky's team could still water down the bill or kick it into the long grass – and they have every reason to try. The main one: the looming loss of centralized control over the levers of power. Several red flags are already visible: The security services, who carried out raids on NABU, may now start questioning Zelensky's authority and the legitimacy of his directives. The Rada, already shaken by the original bill, could fracture further – eroding Zelensky's grip on the legislature. NABU itself, if empowered again, may go after members of Zelensky's inner circle – putting pressure on the business elite that had come to feel safe under his protection. In the end, Zelensky's show of resolve may have backed him into a corner. He's losing political capital at home. And while his government remains intact for now, the erosion of his authority has begun. This may only be the beginning.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
New protests erupt against Zelensky's crackdown on anti-graft agencies (VIDEO)
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Kiev for a fifth consecutive day to decry Vladimir Zelensky's crackdown on two anti-corruption agencies. Although the Ukrainian leader has agreed to reverse the legislation, protesters say they will continue to pressure the authorities until the changes are fully adopted. The rallies began last week after Zelensky signed legislation handing over the oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) to the prosecutor general, claiming the agencies were under Russian influence. Critics, however, have accused Zelensky of authoritarian tendencies, arguing that the move essentially eliminates the independence of agencies that have been investigating several high-profile corruption cases. Kiev's Western backers have also voiced discontent, warning they could reconsider aid to Ukraine if Zelensky's reforms are enacted. In the face of the backlash, Zelensky has agreed to restore the independence of the agencies. Despite the about-turn, Ukrainians still rallied in Kiev on Sunday for peaceful protests, with many carrying signs reading 'Cringe', 'Give the military a vacation', 'The people are the power in Ukraine', and 'Why does the government steal people's money?'. One sign reading 'I have a vacation too but I'm not a sucker' referred to discontent over a parliamentary recess that would have formally made it impossible to swiftly adopt any legislation. However, Ukrainian MPs said they will hold a session on Thursday to pass a law restoring the independence of anti-corruption agencies. The protesters also expanded their demands, calling for the appointment of a director to the Economic Security Bureau (BEB). Kiev's backers have conditioned further economic aid on BEB reforms. The demonstrators also demanded a full-scale reform of Ukraine's customs system, which is also widely seen as a factor influencing the scale of Western aid and loans to Ukraine. Commenting on the string of protests in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that neither NABU nor SAPO is really fighting corruption but are used by Kiev's backers as tools 'to control the flow of money coming to Ukraine from the West.'
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
New protests against Zelensky's crackdown on anti-graft agencies erupt in Kiev (VIDEO)
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Kiev for a fifth consecutive day to decry Vladimir Zelensky's crackdown on two anti-corruption agencies. Although the Ukrainian leader has agreed to reverse the legislation, protesters say they will continue to pressure the authorities until the changes are fully adopted. The rallies began last week after Zelensky signed legislation handing over the oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) to the prosecutor general, claiming the agencies were under Russian influence. Critics, however, have accused Zelensky of authoritarian tendencies, arguing that the move essentially eliminates the independence of agencies that have been investigating several high-profile corruption cases. Kiev's Western backers have also voiced discontent, warning they could reconsider aid to Ukraine if Zelensky's reforms are enacted. In the face of the backlash, Zelensky has agreed to restore the independence of the agencies. Despite the about-turn, Ukrainians still rallied in Kiev on Sunday for peaceful protests, with many carrying signs reading 'Cringe', 'Give the military a vacation', 'The people are the power in Ukraine', and 'Why does the government steal people's money?'. One sign reading 'I have a vacation too but I'm not a sucker' referred to discontent over a parliamentary recess that would have formally made it impossible to swiftly adopt any legislation. However, Ukrainian MPs said they will hold a session on Thursday to pass a law restoring the independence of anti-corruption agencies. The protesters also expanded their demands, calling for the appointment of a director to the Economic Security Bureau (BEB). Kiev's backers have conditioned further economic aid on BEB reforms. The demonstrators also demanded a full-scale reform of Ukraine's customs system, which is also widely seen as a factor influencing the scale of Western aid and loans to Ukraine. Commenting on the string of protests in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that neither NABU nor SAPO is really fighting corruption but are used by Kiev's backers as tools 'to control the flow of money coming to Ukraine from the West.'
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
‘Unprecedented' Ukrainian drone attack leaves man dead
A Ukrainian attack on Russia's Leningrad Region has killed one civilian and injured three others, Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko has said in a series of posts on Telegram. He said Kiev's forces employed over 50 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the strike. The raid was launched in the early hours on Sunday, Drozdenko said. It was mostly repelled by the local air defense forces. Some UAVs fell on residential buildings, causing fires, the governor said, adding that one man died. Three people, including a woman and two youths, also sustained light injuries. The governor called the strike on Sunday 'an unprecedented attack.' A total of 51 drones were shot down, he said. Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that nearly 100 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted in Russian airspace overnight. Kiev has been launching increasingly large-scale drone raids targeting various Russian regions despite renewed diplomatic contacts with Moscow. The latest attacks came after a new round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, held in Istanbul earlier this week. No ceasefire was reached, but the two sides made progress on humanitarian issues, including agreements on the exchange of prisoners of war and civilians. Ukraine has been conducting UAV raids deep into Russia for months, often hitting residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure. The Russian government labels Ukraine's strikes as 'terrorist attacks' that intentionally target civilians. Last week, residential buildings in the city of Voronezh were hit in two such attacks in less than three days. The strikes left nearly three dozen people injured, including three children. On Thursday, two women were killed and more than a dozen people injured in a drone strike on the southern resort city of Sochi. The UAVs targeted a sprawling resort zone that includes parts of the former Olympic Park and now serves as a popular tourist destination. On Friday, a Ukrainian drone struck a passenger train in the Russia's southern Krasnodar Region.
