Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday, July 24th, that he had approved a draft bill guaranteeing the freedom of anti-corruption bodies, after nationwide protests over changes curbing the independence of the oversight organisations.
“I have just approved the text of a draft law that guarantees real strengthening of the rule of law in Ukraine, independence of anti-corruption bodies, and reliable protection of the rule of law from any Russian influence or interference,” he wrote on social media.
The EU welcomed Zelensky’s vow to propose a new bill, and said Kyiv had to address concerns from Brussels. “We have seen that the Ukrainian government has taken action,” EU spokesman Stefan de Keersmaecker said.
Protests have erupted in war-torn Ukraine against a law signed off by Zelensky this week that removes the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies.
The move from Kyiv drew a rare rebuke from Ukraine’s European backers.
The anger from Brussels—a key wartime funder of Ukraine—comes as Kyiv is pushing to join the 27-nation EU.
Ensuring adequate safeguards against corruption is a key demand for Ukraine, as it has in the past been blighted by widespread graft.
