Growing Protests Erupt in Ukraine as Zelensky's Anti-Corruption Agencies Lose Independence

Following President Zelensky's controversial decision to strip control of Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies, widespread protests have emerged, highlighting public dissent and fears of increased corruption. Critics warn that this move could jeopardize Ukraine's EU integration and align the nation closer to authoritarian practices.

Ukraine is currently witnessing a surge of public unrest as thousands take to the streets in protest against President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent law that limits the independence of the country's essential anti-corruption agencies. Signed into law late Tuesday, the bill allows the prosecutor general—an appointee of the president—to oversee the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap).

Zelensky has defended the legislation, claiming it is necessary to clean these institutions of inadequacies and perceived Russian influence, as both agencies have faced criticism for delayed criminal proceedings. Despite securing parliamentary support from 263 MPs, many Ukrainians feel disillusioned, believing such measures will critically weaken anti-corruption efforts.

On Wednesday night, demonstrations broke out in several cities, including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Lviv, making these some of the first anti-government protests since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Protest signs posited that the fight against corruption is integral to Ukraine's European aspirations, built upon years of reform initiated in 2014 after the departure of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. The prominence of anti-corruption agencies was a cornerstone of Ukraine's bid for closer European ties.

Many participants voiced their apprehension that Zelensky’s actions could derail Ukraine’s burgeoning relationship with the EU, a partnership that has grown in urgency amidst ongoing warfare. The country ranks a lowly 105th in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, although improvements have been noted since the establishment of Nabu and Sap.

Investigations by these agencies have led to significant arrests, including that of Vsevolod Kniaziev, the head of Ukraine’s Supreme Court, this year, which underscores their previously vested authority. However, with new oversight imposed, fears rise that corruption could flourish among high-profile officials. A protester lamented the loss of progress made in combating corruption, indicating widespread backlash to the bill’s implications.

International responses have also raised alarm, with leaders from Germany and France cautioning Zelensky against jeopardizing Ukraine's EU path, prompting calls for a reversal of the law. In a moment of defiance, Zelensky vowed to formulate a plan to combat corruption, while maintaining that fighting Russian aggression requires unity among Ukrainians.

With a lack of faith in governmental integrity, citizens express an unwillingness to battle both external enemies and perceived failings within their own administration, setting the stage for an ongoing struggle over Ukraine's political future amid continued geopolitical tensions. As discussions between Russia and Ukraine resume in Istanbul, the focus for many lies squarely with the recently enacted law and its implications for Ukraine’s democracy and European aspirations.