Ukraine Restores Key Anti-Corruption Agencies After Public Outcry

Advanced | August 5, 2025

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Ukraine Restores Independence of Anti-Corruption Agencies

A Week of Intense Pressure

On July 31, 2025, Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, made a crucial decision. They overwhelmingly approved new legislation designed to restore the independence of two vital anti-corruption bodies: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). This significant move came after a week of widespread public protests across Ukraine and strong condemnation from international partners, including the European Union. Citizens demanded accountability, and the international community expressed serious concerns, highlighting the importance of the rule of law for Ukraine’s European aspirations. This was a major victory for those advocating that Ukraine restores independence of anti-corruption agencies.

The Controversial Step and Its Repeal

Just days before, on July 22, parliament had passed a highly controversial law, Bill No. 12414. This legislation would have placed NABU and SAPO under the direct control of the country’s Prosecutor General, an ally of President Zelenskyy. Critics immediately argued that this effectively neutralized their independence, calling it a “serious step back” for Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms. In response to the immense pressure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly submitted a new bill, Bill No. 13533, on July 24. Parliament approved this reversing law with an impressive 331 votes in favor, effectively repealing the problematic provisions and reinstating the agencies’ operational and procedural independence. Additionally, the new law introduces mandatory polygraph testing for NABU employees handling state secrets, aiming to combat potential Russian influence.

Wider Implications for Ukraine

Public Power and International Support

The public protests that erupted after the initial weakening of the anti-corruption agencies were the largest in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians demonstrated, clearly showing their strong demand for the reversal of the controversial law. Internationally, the European Union and G7 countries swiftly condemned the initial legislation, warning of potential negative consequences for financial aid and Ukraine’s EU accession process. Following the reversal, EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warmly welcomed the restoration of independence, reiterating the importance of anti-corruption reforms for Ukraine’s European path.

The Path Ahead

The incident caused some damage to President Zelenskyy’s image as a champion of democratic reforms, especially since he initially signed and defended the disputed bill. However, he quickly reversed course due to significant public and international pressure, demonstrating his responsiveness to public opinion. The new law will come into force shortly after its publication. Despite this positive step, some opposition factions still express concerns that the bill does not fully address all systemic issues, such as reinstating transparent competitive selection processes for prosecutors. Nevertheless, this reversal clearly highlights the power of public and international scrutiny in safeguarding democratic principles in Ukraine, and reinforces the message that Ukraine restores independence of anti-corruption agencies as a critical step toward EU integration.

Vocabulary

overwhelmingly (adverb): With a great majority.
- Example: “The proposal passed overwhelmingly with nearly 90% of the votes in favor.”
legislation (noun): Laws collectively; a set of laws.
- Example: “New environmental legislation aims to reduce pollution significantly.”
controversial (adjective): Giving rise to public disagreement or argument.
- Example: “The government’s new policy has become quite controversial, sparking heated debates.”
neutralized (verb): Made ineffective or harmless; counteracted.
- Example: “The antidote quickly neutralized the effects of the poison.”
reforms (noun): Improvements or changes made to improve a system or organization.
- Example: “The country implemented economic reforms to boost its national growth.”
repeals (verb): Revokes or cancels (a law or act).
- Example: “The new administration plans to repeal several outdated laws.”
polygraph (noun): A machine designed to detect and record changes in physiological characteristics, used to determine if a person is telling the truth; a lie detector.
- Example: “The suspect agreed to take a polygraph test to prove his innocence.”
condemnation (noun): Strong disapproval; censure.
- Example: “The international community issued a strong condemnation of the human rights violations.”
reiterating (verb): Saying again or repeatedly for emphasis or clarity.
- Example: “The spokesperson kept reiterating the importance of safety measures.”
aspirations (noun): Hopes or ambitions of achieving something.
- Example: “Her aspirations to become a doctor began at a very young age.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What was the main purpose of the legislation approved by Ukraine’s parliament on July 31, 2025?
Why did the initial law (Bill No. 12414) provoke such strong criticism both domestically and internationally?
How did public protests contribute to the reversal of the controversial law?
What was the impact of this incident on President Zelenskyy’s public image?
What additional measures did the reversing law (Bill No. 13533) introduce for NABU employees?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Why do you think independent anti-corruption agencies are so important for a country, especially one seeking to join an organization like the EU?
How might public protests influence governmental decisions in a democratic society?
What role do international partners play in encouraging good governance and rule of law in developing countries?
Do you think leaders should reverse their decisions when facing public and international pressure, or should they stick to their original plans?
What challenges might a country like Ukraine face in its ongoing fight against corruption?

Related Idiom

Turn the tide

Meaning: To reverse the direction of events or a situation.
Example: “The massive public protests helped turn the tide against the controversial anti-corruption law in Ukraine.”

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This article was inspired by: ABC News, July 31, 2025