Lithuanian Foreign Minister expresses concerns over Ukraine's decisions and their potential impact on transparency.
In a shocking turn of events, the Ukrainian parliament approved a controversial legislative amendment earlier this week, which critics claim opens the door for government interference in major anti-corruption cases and effectively removes the independence of the country's two key anti-corruption bodies – the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP).
This move has sparked nationwide protests, with hundreds of people gathering in central Kyiv to voice their discontent in a rare show of public anger against the government as Russia's full-scale war continues. The protests mark the largest public rallies since the 2022 Russian invasion.
The law, known as Bill No. 12414, was rushed through parliament with procedural violations, despite being framed as an attempt to strengthen NABU and SAP. In reality, the bill subordinated these bodies to presidential control, a move perceived as a threat to anti-corruption reforms that are vital for Ukraine’s EU integration ambitions.
The European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom have expressed strong concern, viewing the move as a step backward in rule-of-law reforms crucial to Ukraine’s EU accession process. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, while not directly quoting, has been part of the broader European community expressing concern over the initial law and supporting the restoration of anti-corruption bodies' independence.
In response to the public outcry and international pressure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly signed a new law (Bill No. 13533) on July 31, 2025, which restored the full independence and powers of NABU and SAP while retaining safeguards against Russian influence. The new law includes provisions such as regular lie detector tests for anti-corruption officials, reflecting attempts to improve accountability without political interference.
Budrys, in a statement addressing reporters, reminded Ukraine that this was a troubling path, emphasising the importance of transparency in maintaining Western support. He believes that there should be no doubts about the transparency of Ukraine's policies, especially given that corruption remains a serious problem for the nation, even after Russia's invasion.
The minister considers the issue of corruption to be a sensitive political and societal issue, both for Ukraine and for its European integration. He reiterated that the path to EU accession requires adherence to democratic standards and the rule of law, making the recent developments a significant setback.
Despite these efforts, corruption scandals have continued to plague the country over the past decade, as Ukraine has stepped up its anti-corruption efforts as part of its drive for EU membership. The reversal of the controversial law is a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen whether Ukraine can maintain its commitment to anti-corruption reforms in the face of political pressure.
In the wave of reaction in all circles of the capital, it is clear that things were not handled quite properly. The controversy underscores the importance of careful consideration and adherence to democratic principles in the legislative process, especially when it comes to issues as critical as anti-corruption reforms.
The minister believes that the path to EU accession necessitates adherence to democratic standards and the rule of law, making the recent developments a significant setback in Ukraine's anti-corruption reforms and general news. Budrys emphasises the importance of transparency in maintaining Western support, expressing concerns over the initial controversial legislation change that sparked public outrage and international scrutiny.
