EU Issues Warning to Ukraine Over Potential Suspension of Funding Due to Attempts to Weaken NABU and SAP Autonomy
The European Union has formally issued a warning to Ukraine citing the risk of pausing financial assistance if Ukrainian authorities do not take appropriate measures to restore the full independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP).
According to sources close to the government and parliament, on July 24, EU representatives conveyed through diplomatic channels that if the parliament fails to pass or amends the bill 12414 — which currently restricts the operational capabilities of these anti-corruption bodies — the EU will halt all financial support allocated to Ukraine.
This includes aid within the ERA program, as well as assistance from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Furthermore, Ukraine could face a suspension of payments under the Ukraine Facility program, which provides macro-financial assistance tied to reform implementation.
Reports indicate that Ukrainian deputies may either reject the bills restoring NABU and SAP independence or introduce amendments that render the independence nominal or ineffective.
An EU official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that serious warnings have been issued regarding the potential consequences of inaction, including cessation of ERA program loans and suspension of funding from EBRD and EIB.
However, sources suggest that assistance under the Ukraine Facility, which depends on reform progress, is not yet frozen but will be reduced if reforms continue to lag.
Discussions are also underway in Brussels concerning possible sanctions or other measures, including the appointment of a head for the Bureau of Economic Security and other reforms.
Brussels emphasizes that Kyiv must precisely grasp — failure to fulfill anti-corruption and structural reform commitments could significantly impact future financial support and Ukraine’s EU accession prospects.
July saw a disappointing trend: despite expectations for positive signals, reform activities remained sluggish, raising concerns among European partners.
More details are provided in the article “How the President Destroyed Ukraine’s Path to the EU and What to Expect Next.” Euractiv has published an article highlighting that silence erodes democracy, urging Western partners to intensify their support for Ukraine.