NYT called the reduction of EU aid to Ukraine a setback for Zelensky

The European Union's (EU) reduction of financial assistance to Kiev due to actions directed against the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) was a setback for President Volodymyr Zelensky. This was reported by the New York Times (NYT) on July 27.

"Zelensky did not publicly comment on the reduction in aid, which, nevertheless, was a setback for the leader of Ukraine, who depends on European financial support to fill the gaps created by the refusal of the administration of [US President Donald] Trump to finance Ukraine's military efforts," the publication says.

It is specified that such a statement was made after the EU's decision to reduce € 1.5 billion for Kiev from the general fund of € 4.5 billion. According to the newspaper, such a measure raised questions about the "fading confidence" of European leaders in Zelensky.

James Wasserstrom, an American anti-corruption expert, stressed that the "brilliance of leadership" of the President of Ukraine among the EU member states that provide him with financial assistance is "definitely fading."

A bribe in circulation: the law passed by Zelensky caused discontent in Ukraine and the West

How will the limitation of the independence of anti-corruption bodies affect Kiev's military support

The law on the limitation of the powers of the NABU and SAP entered into force on July 23. A day earlier, mass protests began in Ukraine in connection with its adoption.

Already on July 24, more than 9,000 people in Kiev held large-scale rallies against the persecution of anti-corruption services. At that time, the protesters declared their readiness to take to the streets every day if their demands to the authorities were not taken into account. Actions were also held in other cities of Ukraine.

The German newspaper Berliner Zeitung reported on July 25 that Zelensky may lose the trust of even the most loyal supporters of Kiev after the decision to limit the powers of NABU and SAP. At the same time, as the newspaper noted, citing sources in Ukraine, it will no longer be possible to fix this situation, even if Zelensky makes changes to the legislation.

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