- A new law in Ukraine gives the prosecutor general sweeping control over NABU and SAPO.
- President Zelensky signed the measure despite calls for a veto.
- Mass protests erupted in Kyiv led by activists, veterans, and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
- The EU condemned the law, warning it jeopardizes Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations.
- Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies have called for immediate legislative reversal.
The Big Picture
Ukraine is facing growing unrest after Parliament passed a controversial law—reportedly signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky—that significantly curbs the independence of its key anti-corruption bodies: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
What’s New
The legislation empowers the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president, to exert control over NABU and SAPO. Critics argue this shift undermines years of hard-won progress toward transparency and democratic reform, particularly amid Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia.
Protests erupted across Kyiv in response. Demonstrators held signs reading “F*** corruption” and “Corruption = Death” while chanting, “Ukraine is not Russia.” Among the protestors was Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv’s mayor and a vocal opponent of the Zelensky administration.
The EU’s Enlargement Commissioner, Marta Kos, labeled the law a “serious step back,” while French European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad warned that “it’s not too late” to reverse course. Their concerns underscore the implications this law could have for Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union and maintain critical Western support.
What They’re Saying
In a joint statement on Telegram, NABU and SAPO urged lawmakers to undo the damage: “Clear and unambiguous steps at the level of the law are necessary, which will return the guarantees cancelled by the parliament.”
President Zelensky responded with a video message on X in which he said:
In another post on X, Zelensky elaborated further on his meeting with law enforcement heads:
What’s Next
Despite public backlash, the Zelensky administration has not signaled any plan to roll back the law. Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies are demanding immediate legislative amendments to restore their independence, while foreign allies are expected to raise the issue in upcoming summits.
The next round of high-level negotiations involving Ukrainian leadership is scheduled to take place in Istanbul, following two prior summits in May and June that resulted only in prisoner swap agreements. These meetings may determine how far Ukraine is willing to go to reconcile domestic governance with international expectations.
The Bottom Line
As Ukraine faces war on the battlefield, a parallel struggle is unfolding at home over governance, rule of law, and democratic resilience. With foreign aid and EU aspirations on the line, the coming weeks will test President Zelensky’s ability to balance anti-corruption ideals with wartime pressures.
BREAKING: Mass protests erupt in Kyiv as anger mounts against Ukrainian President Zelensky. pic.twitter.com/DoRgaUVfzE
— The General (@GeneralMCNews) July 22, 2025
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