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Ukrainians Show Zelenskythe Limitsof His Power

Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Push Sparks Protests Amid War and Democratic Strains

In the shadow of Russia's ongoing invasion, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has intensified his long-standing battle against corruption, a campaign that propelled him to power in 2019. However, a controversial new anti-corruption law, enacted in late July 2025, has ignited widespread protests across the country, raising alarms about the erosion of democratic norms even as Kyiv fights for its survival. The legislation, aimed at rooting out graft in public procurement and state enterprises, has been hailed by international allies as a vital step toward European Union integration. Yet, critics argue it grants excessive powers to the executive branch, potentially stifling dissent and centralizing control under the guise of wartime necessity.

The law, officially titled the "Law on Enhancing Transparency in Public Procurement During Martial Law," mandates stringent oversight mechanisms for all government contracts exceeding 1 million hryvnias (approximately $25,000). It empowers a newly formed Anti-Corruption Oversight Commission, directly appointed by the president, to veto deals, investigate officials without prior judicial approval, and impose fines or dismissals on suspicion alone. Proponents, including Zelensky's administration, frame it as an essential tool to combat the endemic corruption that has plagued Ukraine since independence, exacerbated by the chaos of war. "Corruption is Russia's fifth column," Zelensky declared in a televised address shortly after signing the bill, echoing his pre-war promises to dismantle oligarchic networks and build a transparent state.

This rhetoric resonates with Ukraine's Western backers. The European Commission, in a statement released on August 1, 2025, praised the law as aligning with EU accession criteria, particularly in the fight against money laundering and illicit financing. The United States, through a State Department briefing, similarly endorsed it, noting that curbing corruption is crucial for ensuring that billions in military and humanitarian aid reach their intended targets. Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Ukraine has received over $200 billion in international assistance, but scandals involving misappropriated funds—such as the 2023 embezzlement case in the Ministry of Defense—have underscored the urgency of reforms. The new law builds on previous measures, like the 2023 establishment of the High Anti-Corruption Court and digital tools for asset declarations, but goes further by integrating real-time AI monitoring of transactions.

Despite these justifications, the law has provoked a backlash that highlights the fragile balance between security imperatives and democratic principles. Protests erupted in Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa within days of its passage, drawing thousands of demonstrators, including civil society activists, opposition politicians, and even some war veterans. Organized under the banner "Democracy Under Siege," protesters accuse Zelensky of authoritarian overreach. "This isn't about fighting corruption; it's about consolidating power," said Oksana Velichko, a prominent activist from the Anti-Corruption Action Center, during a rally in Kyiv's Independence Square. Critics point to provisions allowing the commission to classify investigations as "state secrets" during martial law, effectively shielding them from public scrutiny and media coverage. This, they argue, could be weaponized against political rivals, reminiscent of tactics used by former President Viktor Yanukovych before the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution.

The timing of the law is particularly contentious. With Russian forces advancing in the Donbas region and Ukraine's counteroffensives stalling due to ammunition shortages, the government insists that anti-corruption measures are non-negotiable for maintaining national unity and international support. Yet, the protests come at a moment when public morale is waning. Opinion polls from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, conducted in July 2025, show Zelensky's approval rating dipping below 60% for the first time since the invasion's onset, down from a high of 90% in 2022. Fatigue from prolonged conflict, coupled with economic hardships—inflation hovering at 25% and widespread blackouts from Russian strikes—has fueled discontent. Demonstrators have linked the anti-corruption law to broader grievances, including delays in mobilizing fresh troops and perceived inequalities in draft exemptions for the elite.

Opposition figures, such as Petro Poroshenko, Zelensky's predecessor and a vocal critic, have seized on the unrest to challenge the president's narrative. In an op-ed published in Ukrainska Pravda on August 2, 2025, Poroshenko warned that the law risks transforming Ukraine into a "managed democracy" akin to Hungary under Viktor Orbán, where anti-corruption rhetoric masks executive dominance. He referenced the 2024 postponement of parliamentary elections due to the war, arguing that such delays, combined with new oversight powers, undermine the checks and balances essential to Ukraine's post-Soviet identity. International observers share these concerns. A report from Freedom House, released concurrently with the protests, downgraded Ukraine's democracy score, citing "increasing centralization of authority" and restrictions on media freedom under martial law.

The government's response to the protests has further inflamed tensions. Security forces dispersed crowds in Kyiv using tear gas and water cannons, leading to over 100 arrests and reports of injuries. Zelensky defended the crackdown, stating that "provocateurs" were exploiting the situation to aid Russia, but human rights groups like Amnesty International condemned it as disproportionate. "In times of war, the line between protection and repression blurs," noted Marie Struthers, Amnesty's Eastern Europe director, in a statement. This incident echoes earlier controversies, such as the 2023 ban on several opposition-linked media outlets accused of spreading disinformation.

Beneath the surface, the anti-corruption drive reveals deeper fissures in Ukrainian society. Zelensky rose to fame as a comedian portraying a corruption-busting president in the TV series *Servant of the People*, a role that mirrored his real-life platform. His administration has achieved notable successes, including the arrest of high-profile oligarchs like Ihor Kolomoisky in 2023 and the recovery of $1.5 billion in stolen assets. However, the war has complicated these efforts. Martial law, in place since 2022, suspends certain constitutional rights, allowing for expedited legislation without full parliamentary debate. The new law was passed with minimal opposition input, as many lawmakers from fragmented parties boycotted sessions amid security concerns.

Experts debate the law's long-term impact on Ukraine's democracy. Serhiy Kudelia, a political scientist at Baylor University, argues in a recent analysis that while corruption indeed weakens the war effort—by diverting resources and eroding trust—it must be addressed through inclusive, transparent processes to avoid alienating the populace. "Zelensky's approach risks creating a backlash that could fracture national unity," Kudelia wrote. Conversely, supporters like Daria Kaleniuk of the Anti-Corruption Action Center contend that without bold measures, Ukraine's EU aspirations will falter. The country applied for EU membership in 2022, and anti-corruption reforms are a key benchmark. Brussels has conditioned further aid on progress, with the next tranche of €50 billion potentially at stake.

As protests continue into August 2025, the situation underscores the paradoxes of governing during wartime. Ukraine's fight against Russia is not just military but existential, demanding a resilient democracy to sustain it. Yet, the anti-corruption law exposes how emergency powers can tempt leaders toward authoritarianism. Zelensky has signaled willingness to amend the legislation, announcing a review committee on August 3, but skeptics demand independent oversight. The coming weeks will test whether these concessions quell unrest or if they signal deeper democratic backsliding.

Internationally, the episode complicates Ukraine's narrative as a beacon of freedom against autocracy. Western leaders, including U.S. President [hypothetical 2025 figure], have urged restraint, emphasizing that aid is tied to democratic integrity. Meanwhile, Russian propaganda outlets like RT have amplified the protests, portraying Zelensky as a dictator to undermine global support. For Ukrainians, the stakes are personal: a soldier on the front lines, interviewed anonymously by Reuters, expressed frustration. "We fight for a free Ukraine, not one where the president becomes king."

In essence, the anti-corruption law represents a microcosm of Ukraine's broader struggle. It embodies the tension between urgent reforms and democratic safeguards, between survival and the ideals that ignited the Maidan revolutions. As the war grinds on, with no end in sight, Zelensky's legacy may hinge on navigating this delicate balance. Failure could not only prolong internal divisions but also jeopardize the international coalition sustaining Ukraine's resistance. Success, however, might forge a stronger, more transparent state emerging from the ashes of conflict—a testament to the resilience of its people. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full Foreign Policy Article at:
[ https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/04/ukraine-zelensky-anti-corruption-law-protests-democracy-war/ ]