Overview

• President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a new draft law on July 25 to fully reinstate the procedural powers and autonomy of NABU and SAPO after earlier placing them under the prosecutor general’s control.
• The decision follows unprecedented demonstrations in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, Sumy and Lutsk against moves seen as undermining the agencies’ independence.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and G7 representatives criticized the initial law as a major rollback of anti-corruption reforms required for Ukraine’s EU accession.
• The draft bill is scheduled for consideration in the Verkhovna Rada’s next session, raising hopes for a swift restoration of agency autonomy before parliament breaks.
• The episode highlights the balance Ukraine must strike between guarding against alleged Russian infiltration and maintaining independent oversight crucial to its reform path.