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Saudi Gazette
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Young Ukrainians get their way as Zelensky overturns law to defuse crisis
KYIV — As Ukraine's MPs gathered at parliament in Kyiv on Thursday, some held cardboard signs that read, "We are with our people." It was a message to thousands of young protesters who had taken part in the biggest anti-government demonstrations since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. They were out in force again on Thursday. The MPs then entered parliament, the Rada, and took part in a vote that overwhelmingly overturned a law introduced by President Volodymyr Zelensky last week that curtailed the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies known as Nabu and Sap - the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. The signs carried by the MPs outside the Rada were a nod to the placards carried by thousands of young people who had taken to the streets in towns and cities across Ukraine for almost a week. The protesters had demanded that Zelensky and his government "take their hands off" the two anti-corruption bodies, and they threatened to continue carry on until the government made a U-turn. Within days, it did. Zelensky's original bill had stripped the two bodies of their independent authority to decide who to prosecute in high-level corruption cases, giving that prerogative to the general prosecutor - a presidential appointee. For the placard-waving protesters, safeguarding the independence of Nabu and Sap was as crucial to their European future as the war against Russia was a matter of life and death for their country. In 2022, Kyiv was granted the coveted status of EU candidate country – but on condition it mounted a credible fight against corruption. For Ukraine's Western partners, donors and investors who pour money into the country through international assistance and funding programmes, the existence and independence of the two anti-corruption bodies are non-negotiable. And for Ukraine and its war-shattered economy – that external financial help is critical. It was only 10 days earlier that MPs had backed Zelensky's controversial law, and yet they voted on Thursday by 331 to 0 to overturn it. On both occasions they appeared to be following Zelensky's direction. "Ukraine is a democracy - there are definitely no doubts," he said on social media. Many Ukrainians see the hand of Zelensky's right-hand man, Andriy Yermak, behind the president's recent choices. Yermak's position as head of the presidential office is not regulated by the constitution nor limited by any checks or balances. And questions are being asked about such a role in Ukraine's democracy. Safeguarding that democracy and Ukraine's course towards European integration were the key drivers for the young protesters, while their parents and friends were defending their country on the front lines. MPs did their best to show the problem was now solved, but this crisis has left behind an unpleasant aftertaste. It has brought into question Zelensky's dedication to the anti-corruption reforms. That he seemed ready to compromise on these reforms may have seriously dented the trust the EU put in him. — BBC
BBC News
31-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Young Ukrainians get their way as Zelensky overturns law to defuse crisis
As Ukraine's MPs gathered at the parliament in Kyiv on Thursday, some held cardboard signs that read, "We are with our people."It was a message to thousands of young protesters who had taken part in the biggest anti-government demonstrations since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. They were out in force again on MPs then entered parliament, the Rada, and took part in a vote that overwhelmingly overturned a law introduced by President Volodymyr Zelensky last week that curtailed the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies known as Nabu and Sap - the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. The signs carried by the MPs outside the Rada were a nod to the placards carried by thousands of young people who had taken to the streets in towns and cities across Ukraine for almost a protesters had demanded that Zelensky and his government "take their hands off" the two anti-corruption bodies, and they threatened to continue carry on until the government made a days, it did. Zelensky's original bill had stripped the two bodies of their independent authority to decide who to prosecute in high-level corruption cases, giving that prerogative to the general prosecutor - a presidential the placard-waving protesters, safeguarding the independence of Nabu and Sap was as crucial to their European future as the war against Russia was a matter of life and death for their 2022, Kyiv was granted the coveted status of EU candidate country – but on condition it mounted a credible fight against Ukraine's Western partners, donors and investors who pour money into the country through international assistance and funding programmes, the existence and independence of the two anti-corruption bodies are for Ukraine and its war-shattered economy – that external financial help is was only 10 days earlier that MPs had backed Zelensky's controversial law, and yet they voted on Thursday by 331 to 0 to overturn it. On both occasions they appeared to be following Zelensky's direction."Ukraine is a democracy - there are definitely no doubts," he said on social media. Many Ukrainians see the hand of Zelensky's right-hand man, Andriy Yermak, behind the president's recent position as head of the presidential office is is not regulated by the constitution nor limited by any checks or balances. And questions are being asked about such a role in Ukraine's that democracy and Ukraine's course towards European integration were the key drivers for the young protesters, while their parents and friends were defending their country on the front did their best to show the problem was now solved, but this crisis has left behind an unpleasant has brought into question Zelensky's dedication to the anti-corruption he seemed ready to compromise on these reforms may have seriously dented the trust the EU put in him. Read more: Kyiv death tolls rises to 16 as wave of Russian strikes defies Trump demandZelensky backtracks on law after protestsUkrainecast: Can Zelensky recover from nationwide protests? Some made the link between the government's bid to curtail the independence of Nabu and Sap. Powerful figures in Zelensky's circle have come under scrutiny, with some either facing charges or move also came after the government rejected a candidate selected by an independent commission to head the Bureau for Economic Security - the main agency for investigating economic crimes in official reason Oleksandr Tsyvinski didn't get the job was that he didn't get the security clearance from the security service, and that is under the president's Tsyvinski is a well-regarded anti-corruption expert and the selection commission still wants him these elements resulted in one of the biggest power crises for Zelensky's team since he came to power in and a half years into the full-scale war, the risk of further such mis-steps could come at a significant year, Ukraine's budget deficit could hit $13bn (£10bn), according to a National Bank estimate. Kyiv would not be able to continue fighting the war if were to lose Western partners' the EU has reduced some of its financial aid to Ukraine because the government has not kept up with promised young protesters appear to have understood that all too well, and were prepared to challenge their government in a country they chose to stay in despite the deadly threat of Russian drone and missile attacks.
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Moment MPs brawl in Ukrainian parliament during vote on Zelensky's new anti-corruption bill after his reform plans sparked mass protests
Ukrainian parliament spiralled out of control on Thursday as two MPs engaged in a punch-up before lawmakers voted to reinstate the independence of the country's key anti-corruption bodies. Volodymyr Zelensky had sparked outrage after quietly signing a controversial bill that slashed the independence of two of the country's major anti-corruption watchdogs and was forced into an embarassing U-turn after widespread outcry against the move. He backtracked on the bill and approved a new draft bill guaranteeing the freedom of anti-corruption agencies after facing nationwide protests for the first time since war with Russia erupted. The new bill, to restore the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap), was passed by 331 to 0 on Thursday in Kyiv 's parliament. But amid a tense atmosphere, two MPs could be seen exchanging punches. The pair gestured at one another before launching a punch each. They both unsuccessfully attempt to land another blow before being separated by fellow lawmakers. The scrap's cause remains unknown but it was streamed live in what was the first parliamentary vote broadcast since Russia's full-scale invasion. Zelensky said it was the 'right decision' after the anti-corruption bill was passed into law. 'This guarantees the normal, independent work of anti-corruption bodies and all law enforcement agencies in our country. It is the right decision,' he said. He also added that 'it is very important that the state listens to public opinion,' in response to the street protests. 'Ukraine is a democracy – there is no doubt about that. Government officials will also immediately inform Ukraine's partners about this law,' he added. Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said it was 'a direct and responsible response to the expectations of Ukrainian society and our European partners.' 'It confirms Ukraine's commitment to democratic governance, the rule of law, and institutional maturity,' she added. Zelensky last week placed the watchdogs under the oversight of the prosecutor-general, essentially removing their autonomy, in a move which was criticised by Ukrainians, the European Union and international rights groups. Emmanuel Macron and US officials had also tried to dissuade him from doing so. The bill - known as No. 12414 - was pushed through parliament at breakneck speed, tucked away in amendments to unrelated legislation in what opponents are calling a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny. It raised fears that the government could meddle in investigations and potentially shield its supporters from scrutiny. Mass protests broke out against the Government for the first time since the outbreak of war in response. Hundreds of furious demonstrators, many of them young, poured into the streets in Kyiv, staging a defiant protest despite a nationwide martial law ban on public gatherings. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people gathered near the Ivan Franko Theatre in the heart of the capital last week, just steps from the presidential compound. 'They are crying that they do not want to return to the times of [former President Viktor] Yanukovych,' Kyiv Post reporter Sergii Kostezh said. Fighting corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars of vital Western aid in the war against Russia. Last week the EU said it was freezing $1.7b in aid which meant to reward Ukraine for good governance standards as a result of the bill Anti-corruption measures also enjoy broad public support in the country. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who called last week's legislative changes 'a serious step back,' welcomed approval of Thursday's bill, saying lawmakers had 'corrected last week's damaging vote.' Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the new bill was 'a direct and responsible response to the expectations of Ukrainian society and our European partners' 'Today's law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain,' Kos, who monitors the record of countries that are candidates to join the bloc, wrote on X. 'The EU supports (Ukrainian) citizens' demands for reform. Upholding fundamental values & fighting corruption must remain the priority.' European Commission president Ursula von der added that 'President Zelensky's signature on the law restoring Nabu & Sapo independence is a welcome step.' 'Ukraine's rule of law and anti-corruption reforms should continue. They remain essential for Ukraine's progress on the European path. The EU will continue to support these efforts,' she said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said his country 'is committed to reforms and the fight against corruption' and that Zelensky 'demonstrated a principled approach.' 'We got it fixed,' he wrote on X. The controversy threatened to undermine public trust in their leaders at a critical time, though the protests didn't call for the president's removal. Russia's bigger army is accelerating its efforts to pierce Ukraine's front-line defences and is escalating its bombardment of Ukrainian cities. There is also uncertainty over how much additional weaponry Ukraine's Western partners can provide and how quickly. The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International also criticized last week's legislation, saying it weakened one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014. NABU and SAPO were established after the 2014 Maidan revolution that toppled a pro-Russian president and set Kyiv on a Western course. The two agencies have stepped up their work during the war, leveling charges against lawmakers, ministers, and a former deputy head of Zelensky's administration. Zelensky said his goal had been to speed up prolonged investigations, ensure more convictions and remove Russian meddling in investigations, which he didn't detail. He said he had taken note of the protests and decided to present a new bill to Parliament underscoring that the prosecutor general and his deputies cannot give orders to anti-graft agencies or interfere in their work.
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Zelensky announces new draft law on anti-corruption bodies after protests
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has approved the text of a draft law guaranteeing the freedom of two anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine - days after nationwide protests broke out over changes curbing their Western partners had also expressed serious concerns over the Thursday, Zelensky seemed to backtrack, saying the new bill was intended to safeguard the independence of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap), and to protect them from Russian said the text of the bill was "balanced", but did not provide any details. The law passed earlier this week brought Nabu and Sap under the control of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the the time Zelensky justified his decision to curtail the bodies' powers by citing Russian influence. The day before, Ukraine's security services had carried out searches and arrests targeting alleged Russian spies at the passing of the legislation instantly sparked the largest protests since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 in several cities across Ukraine, with many worrying the law would severely undermine the Nabu and Sap's authority and of people gathered in streets and squares across Ukraine, holding placards calling for the legislation to be commentators accused Zelensky of democratic backsliding. Their concerns were further exacerbated when Ukraine's Western partners signalled their displeasure with the bill. Ukraine has official EU candidate status and a spokesman for European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen previously warned Kyiv that the rule of law and the fight against corruption were "core elements" of membership to the bloc. On Thursday, the Commission said it "welcomed" the Ukrainian government's decision to take action against the bill. "We are working [with the Ukrainian government] to make sure that our concerns... are indeed taken into account," the spokesman and Sap were created in 2014-15 as one of the requirements set by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund to move towards a relaxation of visa restrictions between Ukraine and the on Facebook, opposition MP Oleksiy Goncharenko noted Zelensky said that "the independence of anti-corruption institutions must be guaranteed.""First we take it away, and then we say that it must be guaranteed. So why was all this necessary?"In his message on social media on Thursday, Zelensky did not acknowledge the protests or the backlash but said it was "important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine."
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ukraine backlash grows after Zelensky strips anti-corruption bodies of independence
Ukraine's government is facing a growing backlash after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law limiting the independence of two anti-corruption contentious bill grants control of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap) to the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the argued provisions needed to be taken as Nabu and Sap were letting criminal proceedings stagnate for years and insisted they had to be "cleansed from Russian influence".He signed the bill into law late on Tuesday after it received the backing of 263 MPs out of 324. Many Ukrainians outside parliament – the Rada - disagree with the decision. Critics say the law will severely undermine the Nabu and Sap's authority and effectiveness. On Tuesday night thousands gathered outside the president's office in Kyiv to rallies were also held in Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv and Sumy - despite the continued threat from nightly Russian aerial attacks. The gatherings were the first anti-government demonstrations since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in fight against corruption is seen as closely tied to Kyiv's prospects for integration within the EU – a path that started in 2014, when anti-government protests ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yankuovych in favour of closer ties with the creation of Nabu and Sap was one of the requirements set by the European Commission and International Monetary Fund more than a decade ago in order to move towards a relaxation of visa restrictions between Ukraine and the EU. In 2022, Kyiv was granted the coveted status of EU candidate – a significant development that boosted spirits and strengthened ties between Ukraine and its European there is concern Zelensky's move may undermine Kyiv's growing proximity to the West – a cause for which many Ukrainians feel their country continues to pay the price of the Russian onslaught. "Corruption lives – the future dies," one placard at the Kyiv protest read. Graft in Ukraine is endemic and the country currently ranks 105 out of 180 in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. The rating may be low - but it nonetheless marks an improvement of 39 points since Nabu and Sap were created in then the two bodies have been involved in far-reaching investigations into the misappropriation of millions of dollars' worth of assets and bribes across various ministries and sectors. In 2023 a joint investigation resulted in the arrest of the head of Ukraine's Supreme Court, Vsevolod Kniaziev, in connection with a $3m (£2.4m; €2.9m) bribe. Earlier this month, it also emerged Nabu was conducting searches at the residence of former defence minister Oleksii Nabu and Sap will have to operate under presidential oversight, leading some to wonder whether high-profile figures close to the government will eschew scrutiny. By curtailing the bodies' independence the government had "destroyed everything that has been worked on for years," one protester in Kyiv told Radio Liberty. Despite a nationwide ban on mass gatherings under martial law, more protests were expected in an even greater number of cities across Ukraine on Wednesday "scandalous" law passed on Tuesday "dealt a critical blow to Ukraine's European integration process," the Ukrainska Pravda website said, while another outlet, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, warned that Zelensky had taken a "step towards authoritarianism".Prominent war veteran Masi Nayem told his 54,000 Facebook followers that he had joined the protests in Kyiv as a "duty" to the victims of Russia's war. "I fought for the nation, for the people and the democratic system," he allies have also sounded alarm bells. The legislation "hampered Ukraine's way towards the EU," said Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul, and France's European affairs minister Benjamin Haddad urged Kyiv to reverse its on Wednesday, following a meeting with representatives of Nabu and Sap, Zelensky doubled down. He acknowledged the protests and promised the creation of a joint plan to fight corruption within two weeks – but also emphasised the need for unity against "Russian occupiers".In a joint statement the two agencies pushed back and said they had been deprived of the guarantees that allowed them to combat corruption effectively. They also thanked Ukrainians for their "principled position, active support and concern".Wednesday saw the beginning of the third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul. But the attention of many Ukrainians was firmly on the new bill – and not just because there was little concrete hope of progress in either Moscow or Kyiv."This is government lawlessness," a Lviv resident called Liza told Radio Liberty. "We don't want to have to fight both Russia and our own government."
