Protests in Ukraine and criticism of the West. What do the media write about the law against NABU

A scandal continues to flare up in Ukraine with the investigation of the activities of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). On Tuesday evening, July 22, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law on restrictions on anti-corruption authorities in Ukraine, which abolishes the independence of two agencies created at the initiative of the US institutions. As a result, mass protests began in Kiev, Lviv and other cities of the country. How the world's media reacted to Zelensky's actions is in the Izvestia article.

Bloomberg: The law potentially undermines anti-bribery efforts

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a law stripping the country's anti-corruption agencies of their independence, potentially undermining efforts to combat bribery in the highest echelons of government and strengthen the rule of law. He signed the document without paying attention to the protests of the opposition and anti-corruption groups, who claimed that such a step would undermine the country's efforts to combat corruption.

This decision provoked resistance from the Allies and open criticism. On Tuesday evening, hundreds of people rallied in Kiev, Lviv and Odessa, opposing the law transferring NABU and SAP under the control of the Prosecutor General's Office, the head of which is appointed by the president. The protests broke out amid an almost daily barrage of deadly drone and missile strikes, underscoring growing public discontent with Zelensky's attempts to concentrate power in the hands of a narrow circle of confidants. In addition, the protests are taking place against the backdrop of Ukraine's attempts to convince its Western allies, especially in the European Union (EU), to supply and pay for arms supplies, as well as to continue financial assistance.

Children of Captain Grants: pro-Western activists began to be purged in Ukraine

Anti-corruption structures, the media and individual politicians have problems.

The Guardian: Zelensky's move is likely to displease Ukraine's European partners.

Zelensky's approval of the new bill provoked the first serious protests against his government. Tuesday's move put the president on the path of confrontation with civil society activists and some veterans of Ukraine and is likely to displease Ukraine's European partners.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos criticized the adoption of the bill. According to her, the cancellation of NABU's independence guarantees is a serious step backwards, and both departments are necessary for Ukraine's path to the EU.

The Economist: Ukrainian government attacks anti-corruption organizations

The law on restrictions on anti-corruption authorities in Ukraine has shocked many in Vladimir Zelensky's team. The office of the Ukrainian leader decided to take advantage of the moment of impunity and opportunity by turning its attention to internal enemies. Few people can recall such an important law being passed by the government in such a hurry.

Neither the head of the committee nor the majority of the members were present at the hastily convened meeting of the committee on July 22 at 8 a.m. Supporters of Vladimir Zelensky managed to find the necessary number of votes: 263 voted "for", and only 13 dared to speak "against". However, the vote, which undermines Ukraine's most important anti-corruption reforms, casts a shadow over the country's future course.

Mass protests have begun in Ukraine against Zelensky's decisions on NABU

Aljazeera: protesters in Ukraine criticized the new law

Hundreds of people gathered in the center of Kiev to speak out against the measure, a rare display of anti—government anger since the beginning of Russia's special operation in Ukraine. The bill was passed in a hurry, which is obviously a deliberate effort. Critics claim that the bill consolidates power in Zelensky's hands and will allow the government to interfere in high-profile corruption cases.

The bill's adoption drew sharp criticism from the heads of both departments, and the protests were the largest since 2022. The EU called the decision a "serious step backwards."

Axios: the law may spoil Ukraine's relations with its Western supporters

The leaders of the United States and the European Union, as well as activists in Ukraine, insisted on the creation and empowerment of such independent institutions in order to get rid of the entrenched corruption in Ukrainian politics. This pressure subsided after the start of the CBO, but Zelensky and his allies may have brought it back to the fore.

According to the report, this step, which was preceded by raids against anti-corruption agencies, has given rise to speculation that investigations are also approaching Zelensky's inner circle. Earlier, Ukraine had already arrested Vitaly Shabunin, one of the country's most prominent anti-corruption activists and an outspoken critic of Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader also reshuffled the government, giving preference to his ardent supporters.

Le Figaro: anti-corruption infrastructure is destroyed

The law will allow "untouchables" to exist in Ukraine. It effectively destroys the independence of these two institutions from any political influence and pressure on investigations, and also gives the Prosecutor General the authority to manage NABU and SAPO, gain access to the details of any case, delegating them to people at his discretion.

The adoption of the law the day after the scandalous arrest of an official who worked in one of these structures provoked criticism from activists and non-governmental organizations in Ukraine concerned about the rollback from democracy in the country.