Ukraine Urged to Revisit Anti-Corruption Law, EU Says 'It's Not Too Late'

International Reactions to Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Law

Several countries have expressed concerns over the recent passage of law No. 12414 in Ukraine, which has sparked significant debate and protests. France's Minister for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, emphasized that the situation "can still be salvaged" and stated that France will remain vigilant on this issue.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the importance of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions in driving its reforms. Officials there stressed that Ukraine will continue to be evaluated based on its progress in this area. The ministry noted that these institutions are crucial for maintaining the country's stability and development.

Sweden’s Foreign Ministry also raised concerns about the new law, stating that it raises "serious concern" regarding the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies. The ministry acknowledged Ukraine's past efforts in combating corruption and emphasized the need to maintain momentum in its reform agenda. Sweden remains a strong partner in supporting Ukraine’s ongoing reforms.

The Netherlands’ Foreign Minister, Kaspar Veldkamp, described Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions as vital to its overall reform process. He warned that limiting their activities would represent "a major step backward." Veldkamp stressed that safeguarding the independence of these institutions is essential for Ukraine’s path toward EU accession.

Protests and Government Response

On July 23, amid widespread protests over the adoption of law No. 12414, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with law enforcement and anti-corruption officials, including the prosecutor general. Zelenskyy stated that participants agreed to work "exclusively in a constructive manner."

Following the meeting, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) issued a joint statement declaring that the changes made under law No. 12414 significantly undermine their independence.

Details of Law No. 12414

Law No. 12414 was passed by Ukraine’s parliament on July 22. Transparency International had previously criticized the bill as an attempt to strip NABU and SAPO of their independence. The full text of the bill was obtained exclusively by Radio NV and revealed several key amendments to Ukraine’s Criminal Code.

The amendments were introduced by MP Maksym Buzhanskyi from the ruling Servant of the People party. Among other provisions, the law grants the prosecutor general new powers, including:

• Removing cases from NABU and assigning them to other investigative bodies.
• Acting as the de facto head of SAPO and delegating SAPO prosecutors' authority to others.
• Issuing binding written orders to NABU detectives.
• Unilaterally closing investigations into top officials.

SAPO’s procedural autonomy would also be significantly weakened, as the law:

• Strips SAPO prosecutors of the power to assign jurisdiction to NABU in exceptional cases.
• Blocks the SAPO head from resolving jurisdictional disputes over NABU-led cases.
• Removes the SAPO head’s authority to amend appellate or cassation filings submitted by SAPO prosecutors.

Guillaume Mercier, a representative of the European Commission, expressed concerns about Ukraine’s recent actions involving NABU and SAPO. Additionally, the OECD warned that the anti-graft law threatens defense investments and recovery aid.

Public Outcry and Continued Efforts

In response to the law’s passage, protests broke out in Kyiv and several other cities, including Odesa, Lviv, Dnipro, and Ivano-Frankivsk. On the evening of July 22, the protests continued, highlighting public dissatisfaction with the new legislation.

Later, President Zelenskyy signed the bill into law. In a video address published overnight on July 23, he insisted that NABU and SAPO would continue their work despite the new legislation. However, he emphasized that Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure must be "cleansed of Russian influence."

The situation remains a focal point for international observers and domestic stakeholders alike, with ongoing discussions about the future of Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts and their implications for the country’s relationship with global partners.