Widespread protests broke out in Ukraine on Tuesday after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a controversial bill that critics say undermines the independence of the country’s leading anti-corruption institutions.

The newly passed law grants the prosecutor general authority over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP)—a move opponents say could seriously weaken Ukraine’s anti-graft infrastructure.

Zelensky Defends the Law, Cites Russian Influence

In a televised address on Wednesday, Zelensky insisted the agencies would continue to function but needed to be purged of “Russian influence.” He also criticized what he called years of inaction by the anti-corruption bodies.

“There is no rational explanation for why criminal cases worth billions have been sitting dormant for years,” he said, promising that the prosecutor general would ensure accountability for lawbreakers.

Under the law, Ruslan Kravchenko, a close Zelensky ally and the current prosecutor general, can now reassign or close high-profile corruption cases.

Mass Demonstrations Across Cities

Public backlash was swift and strong. In Kyiv, hundreds gathered for what has become the largest anti-government protest since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Demonstrations also erupted in Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa.

Placards held by protesters read, “We chose Europe, not autocracy,” and “My father did not die for this,” reflecting deep public frustration over perceived backsliding on democratic principles.

Critics Say It Undermines a Decade of Progress

For many Ukrainians and international observers, the legislation represents a reversal of the democratic and anti-corruption progress made since the 2014 Euromaidan revolution—a movement that ousted pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych and reoriented the country toward Europe.

Just one day before the law was passed, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and the prosecutor general’s office carried out searches at NABU, detaining individuals alleged to be Russian spies—an event critics see as a pretext for tightening government control.

Concern from Ukraine’s Western Allies

The law has sparked alarm among Ukraine’s Western backers, particularly the European Union and G7 nations, who played a key role in establishing the country’s anti-corruption agencies a decade ago. These institutions were created under Western oversight and were considered a vital condition for foreign aid and EU integration.

“The European Union is concerned about Ukraine’s recent actions regarding its anti-corruption institutions,” said Guillaume Mercier, spokesperson for the European Commission.

“The EU provides significant financial support to Ukraine, and this support is contingent on progress in transparency, judicial reform, and democratic governance,” he added.

EU Accession at Risk?

Marta Kos, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, sharply criticized the move on social media, calling the law “a serious step back” and warning that weakening NABU and SAP could hurt Ukraine’s path to EU membership.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Taras Kachka, responded by assuring EU officials that “no compromise on anti-corruption” would be made and that “all core functions remain intact.”

Political Fallout and Global Reaction

Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who stepped down last year, called it “a bad day for Ukraine,” saying Zelensky must now decide whether to “stand with the people or not.”

Ambassadors from G7 countries have requested meetings with Ukrainian leaders to discuss the fate of NABU and SAP. However, any withdrawal of support appears unlikely at this time, as Ukraine’s military continues to face intense pressure on the front lines against Russian forces.