Consequences of Government Actions on NABU and SAP: A Difficult Road to Restoring International Trust

The impact of recent political initiatives by the Ukrainian authorities aimed at restricting the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) continues to affect Ukraine’s reputation on the international stage.
EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Marta Kos emphasized that the damage caused by these measures has not been fully repaired and that restoring the trust of investors and partners will require extensive efforts.
In an interview with Interfax-Ukraine, she highlighted that although some reforms demonstrated their fragility, Ukraine must continue working to uphold the fundamental independence of anti-corruption institutions.Kos pointed out that the change in domestic tactics should not come at the expense of strategic goals—particularly, maintaining the independence of NABU and SAP.
She stressed that without this independence, these agencies remain vulnerable, and their personnel and leadership must operate free from political pressure, receiving appropriate recognition and rewards for their work in investigating and prosecuting cases.While Ukraine has made progress in fighting corruption, recent events in July have diminished trust among EU member states, financial institutions, and potential investors.
Kos stressed that after the Rome Recovery Conference, Ukraine had the opportunity to attract investments and develop its economy, but now it must work to restore confidence.
The active civic engagement of Ukrainians was highlighted as a mechanism for uniting society and shaping a positive image of Ukraine across Europe.
She also noted that recent polls indicate corruption is the second greatest fear among Ukrainians, making anti-corruption efforts a top priority.Kos added that the EU will continue monitoring the situation regarding the independence of NABU and SAP and ensuring Ukraine’s compliance.
She reaffirmed that she had repeatedly relayed the EU’s position to the Ukrainian authorities but also acknowledged that recent developments could cause fears and resistance among political forces and society.
Tensions between special services and anti-corruption agencies, particularly the detention of NABU staff by SBU, complicate investigations and add uncertainty to Ukraine’s anti-corruption agenda.The future of Ukraine’s anti-corruption independence depends on decisive actions not only by the government but also by the international community supporting reform efforts.