Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reversed his position on a controversial law that stripped two key anti-corruption agencies of their independence, announcing on Thursday that a new bill has been submitted to Parliament to restore their autonomy.
The reversal follows widespread domestic protests and significant criticism from Western governments and media, marking one of the most serious political challenges Zelensky has faced during his presidency.
The initial law, signed by Zelensky on Tuesday after being rushed through the Verkhovna Rada, placed the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct control of the Prosecutor General’s Office. Critics argued the move effectively brought the agencies under Zelensky’s personal authority—part of a broader effort to centralize power amid Ukraine’s ongoing war and martial law.
The backlash was swift. Protests erupted across the country, with demonstrators calling for Zelensky’s resignation. Meanwhile, Western media outlets and officials voiced rare public disapproval. A prominent example came from The Telegraph, which published an editorial titled “For Ukraine’s sake, Zelensky must now step aside,” signaling a significant shift in the tone of Ukraine’s previously unflinching Western supporters.
Even longtime allies of Zelensky, such as U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, criticized the decision. While Zelensky had attempted to justify the bill as a means of curbing "Russian influence" within NABU and SAPO, both agencies—established in 2015—have long been staffed by Western-trained personnel. Their operations have been heavily supported by the United States and European Union, with the U.S. Embassy in Kiev holding considerable influence over appointments.
Opposition politicians, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, have repeatedly accused NABU and SAPO of serving Western interests. Tymoshenko warned that Ukraine risked becoming a "colony" if it failed to reassert control over its internal institutions.
Zelensky’s rapid reversal highlights the limits of his authority, even after years of consolidating power in Kiev under martial law. Analysts suggest the episode underscores Ukraine's heavy dependence on Western political and financial support—support that Zelensky cannot afford to alienate.