“No compromise possible”: the EU closely follows Zelensky’s flip-flop on the anti-corruption law

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The European Union closely follows the evolution of the situation in Ukraine. Meanwhile, after a reform which torpedits the independence of two main anti -corruption agencies gave rise to the first serious criticism of the EU with regard to Kyiv since the start of the large -scale invasion of Russia.

The law. Meanwhile, approved by the rada and promulgated in the wake by President Volodymyr Zelensky at a speed that took Brussels out of deputy, placed the Ukrainian National Bureau to fight corruption (NABU) and the Office of the Special Anti -Corruption Prosecutor (SAP) under the direct control of the prosecution, appointed by political power.

The Attorney General will now be authorized to select the affairs treated by the NABU. Consequently, SAP and to reassign “no compromise possible”: eu closely them to other state entities, which, according to criticism, may give the executive the power to influence and possibly derail very publicized investigations. Furthermore, The prosecution may also give binding instructions to the agencies.

These amendments go against the opinion of the European Commissionwho considers Nabu. Therefore, SAP as cornerstone of the fight against corruption. Furthermore, The report on the expansion of last year stressed that the SAP had become a “Distinct legal entity“Prosecutor’s office. Nevertheless, recommended that the head of the SAP be authorized to open investigations into the members of the Parliament”independently“of the Attorney General.

Faced with this decline, Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European executive, personally contacted Zelensky.

“President Von der Leyen expressed her lively concerns about the consequences of the amendments. asked for explanations from the Ukrainian government“Said a commission spokesperson on Wednesday.

“Respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption “no compromise possible”: eu closely are fundamental elements of the European Union. As a candidate country, Ukraine must fully respect these standards. There can be no compromise “he continued.

Under pressure from massive demonstrations throughout Ukraine. the warnings of European officials, Zelensky Reviewed his copy and tabled a new bill containing what he called “Complete guarantees of the independence of anti -corruption agencies“.

Its proposal includes regular polygraph tests for Nabu and SAP agents who have access to classified documents.

The text was presented at the rada on Thursday. The president of the Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, confirmed that he would be examined on July 31.

“When examining this bill. I will propose to adopt it immediately as a basis and in its entirety, and to support its urgent signature“, he wrote on x.

In a joint declaration. the NABU and the SAP declared that the new law would restore “All powers and “no compromise possible”: eu closely independence guarantees“And called for his approval”as soon as possible“.

Brussels welcomed this turnaround.

“We welcome the fact that the Ukrainian government takes measures. we will work with it to ensure that our concerns, which have been clearly explained, are actually taken into account“said a spokesperson for the commission Thursday afternoon, before the content of the presidential bill was made public.

The commission is widely satisfied with the draft text. a Brussels source said in Euronews, but will not approve it publicly as long as not all objections have been lifted. Brussels offered technical assistance to Kyiv to develop legislative details.

Meanwhile. Volodymyr Zelensky made the headlines after having vehemently denied the existence of a telephone conversation with Ursula von der Leyen.

“I have not communicated with Ursula von der Leyen in recent days. Everything that has been written about this, everything she would have told me, is false. We did “no compromise possible”: eu closely not have a conversation “he said, according to the news agency Interfax-Ukraine.

The commission did not comment on the latest remarks of the Ukrainian president.