Until the moment of guaranteeing the independence of anti-corruption bodies, Ukraine should refrain from implementing controversial regulations – said the spokesperson of the European Commission Guillaume Mercier to PAP. The EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos spoke with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Duck terrace.
On July 31, the Ukrainian parliament is set to convene to consider an urgent presidential draft law on “strengthening the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP).” After reviewing the changes proposed by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr ZelenskyNABU and SAP assessed on Thursday that the draft restores their previous powers.
Zelensky initiated urgent changes after the amendments limiting the autonomy of NABU and SAP, passed by parliament on Tuesday, were criticized by the European Commission and some European capitals. The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen contacted Zelensky directly. According to the controversial amendments, NABU and SAP would be subordinate to the Attorney General of Ukraine, who is accountable to the president.
Mercier informed PAP on Friday that the European Commission will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and the next steps. – The European Commission also offered its support in this process – he emphasized.
– We welcome this statement from President Zelensky and the fact that the Ukrainian authorities will take action – noted the EC spokesperson. He added that Ukraine must ensure the independence of anti-corruption bodies, as these institutions are crucial for the Ukrainian reform program and the accession process. It is now up to the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that these standards are fully guaranteed. Until then, the implementation of controversial regulations should be suspended – he stated.
The EU Commissioner Marta Kos spoke by phone with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kaczka. After the conversation, she emphasized that the rule of law and adherence to EU values are not only criteria for entering the Union but also what the Ukrainians themselves want.
Ukrainians protested against the limitation of NABU and SAP’s autonomy on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in many cities across the country, despite the ongoing state of war. (26.07.2025)
