Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a controversial law that critics say weakens the independence of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption agencies, sparking protests across major cities and drawing sharp criticism from Western allies.

The law gives the prosecutor general — a Zelensky ally — control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), raising concerns about political interference.

Zelensky defended the move as necessary to remove alleged Russian influence and boost efficiency, but EU officials and G7 diplomats warned it could derail Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms and jeopardize its EU membership bid, the BBC has reported.

Written by B.C. Begley