Thousands of Ukrainians have taken to the streets this week to protest President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to sign a new anti-corruption law that critics say weakens the country’s watchdog agencies and risks undermining trust in government at a critical stage of the war with Russia.
The demonstrations, which swept Kyiv and several other cities on Tuesday, marked the first major anti-government protests since Russia’s full-scale invasion began more than three years ago. Activists called for a second rally Wednesday evening in Kyiv’s central square, pressing Zelenskyy to reverse course.
The legislation, passed by parliament and approved by Zelenskyy on Tuesday, tightens government oversight over two key anti-corruption agencies. Opponents argue the move threatens their independence and allows the president’s allies to exert undue influence over investigations.
International partners, including European Union officials and rights groups, voiced concern over the law’s potential to reverse gains Ukraine has made in tackling corruption since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity.
“Limiting the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency hampers Ukraine’s way towards the EU,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in a post on X.
Transparency International’s Ukraine branch accused authorities of dismantling reforms that have been central to Ukraine’s democratic trajectory and maintaining credibility with Western allies.
Zelenskyy defended the law as a necessary step to speed up investigations and eliminate Russian influence. In a statement on Telegram Wednesday, he said, “Criminal cases should not drag on for years without verdicts, and those working against Ukraine must not feel comfortable or immune from punishment.”
He criticized what he described as long-dormant corruption cases involving massive sums of money, with suspects living abroad without consequences. “This is not normal,” he said, though he did not cite specific examples of Russian interference.
On Wednesday morning, Zelenskyy convened the heads of Ukraine’s anti-corruption and security agencies to address the backlash. He said all parties agreed to work constructively on a joint action plan, expected within two weeks, aimed at fixing institutional weaknesses and ensuring fairness.
Even as protests simmered, Ukraine and Russia prepared for a third round of direct talks in Istanbul later Wednesday, though hopes of significant progress remained low.
For Zelenskyy, who has been the face of Ukraine’s defiance against Russian aggression, the domestic discontent over the law represents an unwelcome challenge, with critics warning it risks alienating both citizens and international supporters at a delicate moment in the war.