Latest news with #VolodomyrZelensky
Miami Herald
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Zelensky signs new law reversing last week's protested corruption bill
July 31 (UPI) -- After a week of protests, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky signed an anti-corruption bill reversing one he signed last week. The Ukrainian parliament voted unanimously for the new bill after backlash from Ukrainian people and the European Union. Last week's law brought two anti-corruption watchdogs under the control of the country's prosecutor general, which is a politically appointed position. Proponents said it was necessary to prevent Russian influence in the anti-corruption system and speed up corruption cases. But opponents said it stripped away the independence of the organizations -- the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. The new law reversed last week's law. "I want to thank all the lawmakers for passing my bill, now a law. I have just signed the document, and the text will be published immediately," Zelensky said on his Telegram channel. "There are guarantees for the proper, independent operation of anti-corruption bodies and all law enforcement agencies of our state." Many sitting members of parliament are being investigated by NABU. The agency has charged 71 current and former MPs with corruption. Forty-two of them were charged between 2022 and 2025. Still in parliament are 31 of the charged MPs. Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Action Center approved of Zelensky's initiative, saying it would "restore the principles previously dismantled by the Verkhovna Rada [parliament]." The European Union warned Ukraine, a former Soviet republic, that it saw last week's law as backsliding in the country's efforts to combat corruption and could jeopardize its plans to join its ranks. "The European Union is concerned about Ukraine's recent actions with regard to its anti-corruption institutions, NABU and SAPO," European Commission Spokesperson Guillaume Mercier told Ukrinform, the country's national news agency last week. Mercier added that the European Union's financial assistance to Ukraine is conditional on "transparency, judicial reform and democratic governance." Former Prime Minister and current MP Yulia Tymoshenko defended last week's bill. "This bill, the president submitted under colossal pressure, is not about NABU and SAP, and not about the fight against corruption. NABU and SAP are organs of political pressure on Ukraine's government from outside. We are not a country that can be ruled by foreign powers as a dog on a leash," Tymoshenko said during the parliament session on Thursday. "I don't care who takes away our sovereignty, East or West." Last week, Zelensky quickly signed the disputed bill, claiming NABU and SAP were not effective enough and were filled with Russian agents. The organizations were investigating corruption allegations against some of his closest allies. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
31-07-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Sweden adds to pressure on EU to suspend trade with Israel
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson spoke to the Ukrainian presidenti Volodomyr Zelensky in 2023. The Swedish government asked the European Union to suspend trade with Israel because of human rights violationsd in Gaza. File Photo by Ukrainian President Press Office/ UPI | License Photo July 31 (UPI) -- Sweden on Thursday joined other European countries in calling on the European Union to freeze its trade deal with Israel to force the country to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza. Other countries -- Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Luxembourg -- have already spoken out on human rights violations in the region. "Using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare constitutes a war crime," said Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard during a press briefing on Wednesday. "We now propose that the EU suspends the trade section of the agreement as soon as possible. We'll be very clear with the Commission on this matter." The EU-Israel Association Agreement, which was updated on July 10, gives Israel preferential access to the EU market in exchange for commitments to human rights and humanitarian access. Stockholm says Israel has failed to uphold its commitments. Trade measures can be changed with a majority vote among all 27 EU member countries. "The situation in Gaza is utterly deplorable, and Israel is not fulfilling its most basic obligations and agreed-upon commitments regarding humanitarian aid," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson agreed on X. "At the same time, pressure on Hamas must increase so that the hostages are released immediately and unconditionally. Sweden welcomes the fact that more countries in the Middle East are demanding that Hamas be disarmed and not have a role in the future governance of Gaza." The European Commission on Monday proposed suspending parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement involving a flagship research project, citing a "humanitarian catastrophe" that it said threatens "virtually the entire Gaza population." The initiative was ultimately blocked at a meeting of envoys on Tuesday by Germany and three other member countries. On Wednesday, the Netherlands announced it advocated suspending the trade chapter of the agreement. A spokesperson for Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said "the minister welcomes that Sweden joins the Netherlands in our call." "We need to increase pressure on the Israeli government because they must do more to facilitate humanitarian aid. The agreement between the EU and Israel on humanitarian aid and access must be fully honored," the spokesperson added.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ukraine's Zelensky says will meet Vladimir Putin on Thursday
Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelensky on Sunday announced that he would be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Bournemouth aid worker footage shows Ukraine hotel missile strike
An aid worker has survived a Russian missile attack on a hotel in Swiacki, founder of Ukraine Relief in Bournemouth, said he and his team were caught in the attack on Kryvyi Rih strike has killed at least four people and 31 have been injured, according to the city's regional city is Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelensky's hometown. He is currently attending an EU emergency summit where he has thanked European leaders for their "strong support". Mr Swiacki, who has previously won a BBC award for his work providing aid to refugee centres in Ukraine, contacted the BBC saying his team were in the hotel when the missile images and videos of the destruction, he also sent a short message. "We were attacked in the hotel in Kryvyi Rih. Everyone from our team alive. Many dead and wounded. I'm sorry it happening to you Ukraine. We won't give up," Mr Swiacki said. Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine's Ministry of Strategic Industries, described the strike as an attack on "a civilian, peaceful hotel".It has been reported the missile also damaged 13 apartment blocks and 12 shops - it is the second time this hotel has been targeted in five at the EU emergency summit, President Zelensky told leaders: "During all this period, and last week, you stayed with us."We are not alone, and these are not just words, we feel it." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
