According to China News Service, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an act on the 22nd local time, which is said to weaken the independence of two major anti-corruption agencies in Ukraine. Thousands gathered in Kyiv to protest. This marks the first large-scale anti-government demonstration in Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022.
On the 23rd, Zelensky responded on his personal social media. He stated that he had convened meetings with the Ukrainian Attorney General, law enforcement agencies, and anti-corruption agencies. The Ukrainian government “heard the voice of society,” and he promised to present a joint plan by the end of two weeks that would achieve “greater justice.”
Zelensky mentioned that the meeting was necessary and constructive, stating that Russia is “our common enemy” and that “to defend Ukraine, it is necessary to have a sufficiently strong law enforcement and anti-corruption system.”
Zelensky wrote, “Criminal proceedings cannot drag on for years without a legal judgment, and those who harm Ukraine should not be able to remain unpunished or escape punishment.”
“We all heard the voice of society. We understand the expectations of the people towards state institutions, namely ensuring justice is served and each institution operates effectively,” Zelensky said.
He introduced that participants agreed to hold a work meeting next week to discuss the joint action plan. By the end of two weeks, a joint plan must be developed, clarifying related measures, “to strengthen Ukraine’s strength, solve current issues, achieve greater justice, and truly protect the interests of the Ukrainian society.”
Zelensky held meetings with the Ukrainian Attorney General, law enforcement agencies, and anti-corruption agencies.
The controversial bill passed the Ukrainian Supreme Council (Parliament) on the 22nd. According to the bill, the Ukrainian Attorney General has the authority to direct investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Agency, transfer cases to other agencies; the Attorney General can delegate powers of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office to other prosecutors; and at the request of the defense, the Attorney General can terminate the investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Agency.
Both the National Anti-Corruption Agency and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office criticized the bill for ending the independence of anti-corruption agencies. The European Union expressed serious concern about this bill, stating that its independent operation is “core to the negotiations for Ukraine’s accession.”
On the evening of the 22nd, thousands gathered on the streets of Kyiv to protest, and hundreds demonstrated in Lviv, Dnipro, and Odessa cities.
In a video speech on the evening of the 22nd, Zelensky stated that the anti-corruption system would continue to operate, but “it is necessary to eliminate the influence of Russia,” without commenting on the public protests.