Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated in a statement published today that he had "heard the voice" of the protesters who oppose the law abolishing the independence of the anti-corruption services and had responded with a new law, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
"It is completely normal for people to react when they do not want something or when they do not like it", the Ukrainian president said yesterday during a meeting with journalists, in which AFP also participated, and added that it was "very important to listen to the people and respond appropriately".
"The people demanded changes. "We responded," Zelensky added, acknowledging that dialogue was probably necessary before the adoption of the law on anti-corruption services.
This first text of the law, voted by parliament on Wednesday and promulgated by Zelensky the same day, provided that the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) - the two main anti-corruption services in Ukraine - would be placed under the control of the Prosecutor General, who in turn is subordinate to the president. This measure effectively eliminated their independence, AFP points out.
This law caused a violent reaction in civil society and the first large-scale street protests in Kiev since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022. It has also drawn sharp criticism from the European Union, which Ukraine is seeking to join.
Given the controversy, Zelensky initially tried to defend the law, accusing the affected structures of inefficiency and being under "Russian influence". He finally announced yesterday that he would propose a new bill to re-guarantee their "independence".
The new bill is due to be voted on by parliament and will be considered by lawmakers next Thursday. It has been welcomed by NABU, the agency responsible for investigating corruption in the country.
Since its creation in 2015, the agency has uncovered major corruption cases in Ukraine, including in the military and government. Few of them, however, have led to convictions.
Protesters against the law, interviewed by AFP last night, expressed cautious optimism about Zelensky's concession.
"Now we will be very vigilant and monitor the situation," said Stanislav Teslenko, who hopes the government "will correct this terrible mistake".
Zelensky assured that the situation surrounding NABU and SAP will not affect the country's EU accession talks. He said that in his talks with European partners he was committed to finding a solution. According to him, the partners understand that these are internal issues.
The Ukrainian president made these comments yesterday during a conversation with journalists, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"We are part of the same infrastructure as Europe, we want to be part of Europe. Nobody wants to take unnecessary risks. I assured all our partners – those with whom I talked about the war, about (the negotiations in) Turkey. Today, for example, we are discussing Ramstein and many other issues. As for NABU and SAP, I told them that I will find a way out. I will propose a solution based on the needs of anti-corruption officials and the will of society“, Zelensky explained.
He also noted that disinformation is already being used to manipulate public opinion on the issue of EU integration. In particular, the Ukrainian president stressed that he had not spoken with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently.
–––––– this is false information. We have not spoken," Zelensky explained.
However, he confirmed that he had spoken with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
„For example, on July 24, I spoke with Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. And he said: "If you need, we will all support you; we fully understand that you have internal problems. Our support will not decrease. We all understand everything," Zelensky concluded.