Ministerial Initiatives and the Political Struggle Surrounding Anti-Corruption Reforms in Ukraine: A New Phase of Conflict Between Authorities and Western Allies
On Tuesday, Ukraine's political scene once again became the focal point of international attention amid a fierce confrontation between the government and its Western partners over the future of independent anti-corruption institutions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team are trying to prevent the adoption of Bill №12414, which directly threatens the existence of key anti-corruption bodies — NABU and SAP.
According to information published in the Financial Times, top Western partners, including EU representatives, exerted pressure in an attempt to persuade Kyiv to reject this legislation, as it effectively abolishes the independence of anti-corruption agencies and undermines Ukraine’s democratic foundations at a critical moment.
Simultaneously, G7 ambassadors, after meeting with Prosecutor General Ruslan Krcahchenko and SBU Head Vasyl Malyuk, sought to convince Kyiv officials to reconsider policies intended to preserve the independence of these agencies.
Diplomats involved revealed that during the meeting, efforts were made to prevent them from informing their governments about the real situation in Kyiv, with diplomats being held in a room without phones for over two hours.
At the same time, a bill was registered in parliament proposing to restore the independence of NABU and SAP — a move critics warn could weaken Ukraine’s democratic processes and damage international support.
Zelensky has stated that these changes are necessary to counter Russian influence within anti-corruption bodies; however, opponents argue that such measures weaken institutional integrity and risk alienating Western allies at a crucial stage.
On July 22, the Verkhovna Rada passed Law №12414, which effectively dismantled the independence of key anti-corruption institutions, resulting in mass protests in several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.
Despite Zelensky’s previous claims that he supported balanced reforms, critics are now calling for the reinstatement of NABU and SAP independence to safeguard democracy and transparency.
The protests reflect a deepening political crisis and a fight for the future of anti-corruption reforms, especially at a time when Ukraine faces severe military challenges.
The international community closely observes whether Ukrainian authorities can uphold democratic values and the independence of key institutions amid these turbulent developments.