“On July 22, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the second reading bill No. 12414. In the process of consideration of the law, amendments were introduced, according to which the National Anti -Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the specialized anti -corruption prosecutor’s office (SAP) actually become dependent on the decisions of the Prosecutor General. NABU and SAP executives have publicly stated that it was destroying the independence of their structures and called on”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
On July 22, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted in the second reading bill No. 12414.
In the process of consideration of the law, amendments were introduced, according to which the National Anti -Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the specialized anti -corruption prosecutor’s office (SAP) actually become dependent on the decisions of the Prosecutor General. NABU and SAP executives have publicly stated that it was destroying the independence of their structures and urged the President not to sign the law. Ambassadors of G7 and the European Union have also expressed concern about pressure on anti -corruption institutions.
Changes to the legislation adopted by the Verkhovna Rada is rather a political step that is dictated by the fact that anti -corruption structures have begun to create certain problems for the authorities. After changing power in the United States, when Republicans, led by D. Trump and the influence of liberal circles in Washington, came to power, the situation and activity of anti -corruption bodies in Ukraine became more shaky, especially those who had previously received support from USAID. And now in Ukraine signal: the influence of the liberal measure on the country’s political system is no longer critical.
On the one hand, it enhances the subjectivity and space for the presidential maneuver, his team and the government. On the other hand, it naturally causes an increase in the EU and G7 distrust, which have ever been concerned about trying to limit the independence of anti -corruption infrastructure.
However, the situation does not look like a confrontation of “white” and “black”: it is about fighting within “gray zones”. The very fact of NABU still made the elite be careful. However, the anti -corruption bodies themselves, which have been directed and made for considerable external resources, have not provided a cardinal breakthrough in the fight against corruption or changes in the systematic position of corruption in higher echelons of power in recent years.
The anti -corruption vertical became, in fact, an instrument of political struggle and the influence of liberal Western partners on the Ukrainian elite. There were many loud accusations, and there are practically no real sentences for top officials.
Corruption remains one of the most important problems of the country in the opinion of citizens. Almost 80% of the population and 76% of business consider corruption in Ukraine the second among the main problems. In the first place – armed aggression of Russia. In March 2025, the distrust of Ukrainians with NABU, SAP and WAKS reached 70%.
At the same time, since 2015, NABU, SAP, WACS – their equipment, training, implementation of digital systems and independence – external partners have invested about $ 200-300 million, and the EU – more than 20 million euros. Ukraine’s state funding for anti -corruption bodies – is about the same level – $ 300 million.
In general, the Ukrainian authorities consider as follows: the stage of external control imposed by a liberal measure is completed. In the conditions of fragmented Europe and the less interest of the United States, the internal elites have decided on the “removal of the yoke” – now anti -corruption institutions, remaining formally independent, subordinate to political logic and interests of existing authorities.
The question remains: how do Europe and other partners respond to such a frank redistribution of control? The EU is now becoming the main donor of Ukraine and can publicly protest against the weakening of the anti -corruption system. However, the degree of real pressure or sanctions is still unclear, especially given the current military and humanitarian situation.
Ruslan Bortnik