Zelenskyy's war argument strategy was alleged by Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a Ukrainian opposition MP, as being utilized to justify everything.
In a remarkable turn of events, Ukraine's key anti-corruption agencies have reclaimed their full independence and operational authority, following a legislative reversal triggered by widespread public protest and political pressure.
The catalyst for this change was a controversial law limiting the independence of these bodies, which sparked significant social pressure and led to massive demonstrations across the country. The protests, which began on July 22, 2025, saw thousands of people gather to demand the repeal of the restrictive law and defend these institutions, crucial to Ukraine's rule of law and EU accession conditions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, facing public backlash, responded by submitting a new draft law to parliament on July 24. This bill aimed to reinstate full independence and protections for the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), safeguarding them from undue political influence, especially from allies of the president, and maintaining their investigatory powers. The parliamentary vote for this bill was scheduled for July 31.
Notable figures from the Ukrainian opposition, including Iryna Shev and deputy Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, were among those who spoke out against the restrictive law and attended the protests. Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, in an interview with Expresso, expressed his optimism about the future of Ukrainian society, stating that social pressure has grown to a point where abuses, even during war, are no longer tolerated. Iryna Shev, who was also present at the protest, views the event as a significant step in Ukrainian society, indicating her strong stance against the controversial laws.
The protests have demonstrated the growing discontent among Ukrainian citizens about the anti-corruption laws. Iryna Shev's participation in the protest could potentially influence other opposition members to take a stronger stance against such laws. As we move forward, it remains to be seen how this change in legislation will impact Ukraine's ongoing battle against corruption and its path towards EU accession.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-parliament-to-vote-on-bill-reversing-anti-graft-reforms-2021-07-27/ [2] https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraines-anti-corruption-bodies-to-regain-full-independence-after-protests.html [3] https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-anti-corruption-bodies-protests-parliament-vote/ [4] https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-anti-corruption-bodies-protests-parliament-vote/31467637.html
- The protests ignited by the restrictive anti-corruption laws have led to a significant reversal in legislative policy, as Ukraine's parliament is scheduled to vote on a bill that will reinstate the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
- The ongoing struggle against corruption, war-and-conflicts, and the path towards EU accession remain central themes in Ukrainian politics, with international observers closely monitoring the impact of this policy-and-legislation change on general-news developments.
