Wed Jul 23 19:37:39 UTC 2025: **Headline: Ukrainian Protests Erupt Over Anti-Corruption Law; Zelenskyy Promises New Legislation**
**Kyiv, Ukraine** – Protests have entered their second day in Ukraine as public outrage grows over a recently passed law that critics say weakens the country’s anti-corruption agencies. The law, signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this week, places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under the direct control of the Prosecutor General, an official appointed by the President.
Critics, including the European Union and various rights groups, argue the law undermines the independence of these vital agencies, potentially opening them up to political interference and jeopardizing Ukraine’s bid for EU membership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has demanded explanations from Zelenskyy, conveying “strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments.”
Thousands of demonstrators defied martial law to rally in Kyiv and other major cities, expressing their anger and accusing the government of protecting its own interests at the expense of transparency and the country’s European aspirations.
President Zelenskyy has defended the law, claiming it’s a necessary response to suspected Russian influence within the agencies, following a series of raids and arrests of NABU employees accused of espionage and illegal business ties to Moscow. However, critics argue that the law lacks specific provisions targeting Kremlin-linked operatives and risks alienating Western allies.
Amidst the mounting pressure, Zelenskyy has promised to introduce new legislation to address the concerns. “We will prepare and submit a bill to the Verkhovna Rada [parliament] that ensures the strength of the rule-of-law system. There will be no Russian influence or interference … and all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place,” he stated on X.
The controversy has ignited a political firestorm, raising concerns about deepening divisions within Ukraine at a critical time in its war against Russia. Analysts warn that the law could erode public trust in Zelenskyy’s leadership and provide ammunition for Kremlin propaganda. Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Center for Civil Liberties, warned the law could be “a gift to Putin.”
First Piper 