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Outrage in Ukraine as the government attacks anti-corruption watchdogs

Outrage in Ukraine as the Government Attacks Anti-Corruption Watchdogs

KIEV—In the shadow of ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine's government has ignited a domestic firestorm by targeting the very institutions designed to root out corruption. What began as a series of bureaucratic maneuvers has escalated into a full-blown crisis, with activists, opposition figures, and international allies decrying what they see as a deliberate assault on the country's anti-graft infrastructure. At the heart of the controversy is the administration of President Volodymyr Zelensky, once hailed as a reformer, now accused of undermining the watchdogs that were meant to keep power in check.

The spark came in early July 2025, when the cabinet approved a draft law that would significantly curtail the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), the independent agency established in 2015 to investigate high-level graft. The proposed legislation, critics argue, would allow the president to appoint NABU's director directly, bypassing the current merit-based selection process overseen by a panel of experts and civil-society representatives. This move echoes earlier attempts to weaken anti-corruption bodies, but its timing—amidst Ukraine's push for EU membership—has amplified the backlash.

NABU has been a thorn in the side of Ukraine's elite since its inception. Modeled on Western investigative agencies like America's FBI, it has pursued cases against oligarchs, politicians, and even allies of the current government. Notable scalps include the 2023 conviction of a former energy minister for embezzlement and ongoing probes into wartime procurement scandals. But NABU's independence has always been precarious. In 2020, under Zelensky's watch, the Constitutional Court struck down key anti-corruption laws, forcing a hasty rewrite. Now, the new bill goes further, proposing to limit NABU's jurisdiction over certain economic crimes and requiring it to share sensitive information with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which is under direct presidential control.

The government's rationale is couched in terms of efficiency and national security. Officials claim that in wartime, anti-corruption efforts must be streamlined to avoid disrupting military operations. "We cannot afford internal divisions when the enemy is at our gates," said Andriy Smyrnov, a deputy head of the presidential office, in a statement defending the reforms. Proponents argue that NABU has overreached, sometimes pursuing politically motivated cases that hinder governance. They point to instances where investigations have stalled aid deliveries or embarrassed Ukraine on the international stage.

Yet this defense has fallen flat among a broad coalition of critics. Civil-society groups, such as the Anti-Corruption Action Centre (AntAC), have mobilized protests in Kiev and other cities, drawing thousands despite the risks of Russian missile strikes. "This is not reform; it's regression," declared Daria Kaleniuk, AntAC's executive director, in an impassioned speech outside the Verkhovna Rada. "Zelensky came to power promising to drain the swamp, but now he's flooding it." Opposition leaders from parties like European Solidarity and Batkivshchyna have echoed these sentiments, accusing the president of consolidating power ahead of potential elections, which have been postponed due to the war.

International reaction has been swift and severe. The European Union, which has made anti-corruption reforms a cornerstone of Ukraine's accession talks, expressed "deep concern" through its foreign-policy chief, Josep Borrell. In a leaked memo, EU diplomats warned that the bill could jeopardize the next tranche of macro-financial assistance, worth €50 billion ($55 billion). The United States, Ukraine's largest military backer, has been equally vocal. Ambassador Bridget Brink tweeted that "undermining independent institutions risks eroding the trust we've built." Even the International Monetary Fund, which oversees Ukraine's $15 billion loan program, hinted at potential reviews if the reforms proceed.

To understand the outrage, one must delve into Ukraine's tortured history with corruption. For decades, the country has been plagued by kleptocracy, where oligarchs and officials siphoned billions from state coffers. The 2014 Maidan revolution promised change, leading to the creation of NABU, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), and the High Anti-Corruption Court. These bodies were insulated from political interference, with NABU's director selected through a competitive process involving international experts. The system has yielded results: over 1,000 convictions since 2015, recovering assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

But progress has been uneven. Zelensky's early years saw genuine advances, including the dismantling of some oligarchic empires and digital reforms like the Diia app, which streamlined public services and reduced bribery opportunities. However, as the war dragged on, priorities shifted. Martial law granted the president sweeping powers, including the ability to dismiss officials without parliamentary approval. In 2024, Zelensky fired the head of SAPO amid allegations of inefficiency, replacing him with a loyalist. This pattern, critics say, reveals a deeper authoritarian drift.

The current assault extends beyond NABU. The government has also targeted the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), which oversees asset declarations for public officials. A separate decree slashed NACP's funding by 30%, forcing staff cuts and halting key audits. Meanwhile, the SBU has ramped up investigations into journalists and activists who expose corruption, labeling some as "information saboteurs." One prominent case involves Serhiy Sternenko, an anti-corruption blogger arrested on dubious charges of inciting unrest.

Analysts see this as part of a broader strategy to centralize control. "Zelensky is building a vertical of power," says Olena Shuliak, a political scientist at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future. "In peacetime, this might be challenged in courts or elections, but war provides cover." Indeed, public opinion is divided. Polls from the Razumkov Centre show that while 70% of Ukrainians support anti-corruption efforts, trust in the government remains high at 55%, buoyed by Zelensky's wartime leadership. Yet fatigue is setting in; a recent survey indicated growing concern over democratic backsliding.

The implications are profound. For Ukraine's EU aspirations, robust anti-corruption mechanisms are non-negotiable. Brussels has already delayed membership talks over similar issues in the past. Domestically, eroding these watchdogs could embolden graft at a time when Ukraine desperately needs transparent management of Western aid—over $100 billion since 2022. Corruption scandals have already surfaced, such as the 2023 defense-ministry embezzlement case that led to ministerial resignations.

Moreover, this crisis risks alienating Ukraine's youth and civil society, the backbone of its resistance to Russia. Many who volunteered for the front lines did so inspired by the promise of a cleaner, more European Ukraine. "If we win the war but lose our soul to corruption, what have we achieved?" asks Vitaliy Shabunin, head of AntAC, who has faced personal threats for his work.

As parliament debates the bill, amendments are being floated to soften its edges—perhaps retaining some international oversight in NABU appointments. But the damage may already be done. Zelensky, facing mounting pressure, has scheduled a rare press conference to address the concerns. His administration insists the reforms are temporary, wartime necessities. Skeptics, however, fear they signal a permanent shift toward illiberalism.

In a country fighting for its survival, the battle against corruption is as vital as any on the front lines. By attacking its watchdogs, Ukraine's government risks not just international isolation but the erosion of the very ideals that sustain its resilience. As one protester's sign in Kiev poignantly read: "No corruption, no capitulation." The coming weeks will test whether outrage translates into real change, or if the watchdogs are muzzled for good.

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[ https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/07/22/outrage-in-ukraine-as-the-government-attacks-anti-corruption-watchdogs ]