Thousands Protest Zelenskyy Controversial Anti-Corruption Law in Kyiv

Thousands of Ukrainians flooded the streets of central Kyiv on Wednesday in a rare mass protest against a new law signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, which critics say undermines the country’s anti-corruption fight.

The demonstrators, mostly young citizens, called on Zelensky to veto the legislation that places two major anti-graft agencies—the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO)—under the direct control of the prosecutor general, an official appointed by the president.

Zelensky signed the bill into law on Tuesday despite widespread opposition from anti-corruption campaigners and civil society groups. Many believe the move threatens Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union and weakens institutional safeguards established after the 2014 revolution.

Describing the reform as a necessary step to eliminate Russian influence within anti-corruption bodies, Zelensky defended his decision during a meeting with law enforcement and anti-graft officials.

“We all share a common enemy: the Russian occupiers,” Zelensky said.

“And defending the Ukrainian state requires a strong enough law enforcement system — one that ensures a real sense of justice,” he added.

He later took to social media, assuring citizens he would introduce another bill that would “ensure the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions”.

The NABU and SAPO, after meeting with the president, reiterated their concerns and emphasized the need for “unambiguous legislative steps… to reinstate the guarantees revoked by parliament”.

As news of the law’s passage broke, protesters gathered outside Kyiv’s Ivan Franko Theatre, projecting the words “Veto the Law” onto the building’s façade. Anger swelled as demonstrators promised to return for another rally Wednesday evening.

“Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days, what people are saying on social networks, to each other, on the streets. All this is not in vain,” Zelensky later acknowledged in a post.

The protests marked the largest show of public dissent in the capital since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

EU Raises Alarm Over “Step Back”

International partners also expressed concern. The European Commission demanded clarification from Zelensky over the reform, calling it a setback for Ukraine’s democratic progress.

“President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments,” a Commission spokesperson said.

“The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU’s independence is a serious step back,” added EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.

NABU, created in 2015 as part of Ukraine’s post-revolution push to fight corruption, has helped expose high-level graft, including allegations involving top officials in Zelensky’s administration.

The backlash intensified earlier this week when law enforcement raided NABU’s premises and arrested an employee on suspicion of spying for Russia. Transparency International’s Ukraine office denounced the action as “an attempt by the authorities to undermine the independence of Ukraine’s post-Revolution of Dignity anti-corruption institutions”.

Activist Vitaliy Shabunin, a leading critic of government interference in anti-graft institutions, also faces fraud and draft-dodging charges, which his supporters say are politically motivated.

Meanwhile, the government’s recent decision to block the appointment of the head of the Bureau of Economic Security—citing alleged Russian ties—has only deepened civil society’s distrust.

“This is a gift to Putin,” said Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Centre for Civil Liberties.

The Kremlin appeared to seize on the unrest, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov commenting that there was “a lot of corruption” when asked about the protests in Kyiv.

Despite the growing controversy, the Ukrainian government insists the new law is aimed at strengthening, not weakening, the fight against corruption. But to many on the streets of Kyiv, it feels like a dangerous step in the wrong direction.