Ukraine Lawmakers Restore Anti-Graft Agencies’ Independence

The Ukrainian parliament has passed a bill to restore the independence of key anti-corruption agencies. This move comes in response to growing public protests and pressure from Ukraine's international supporters, including Kyiv's foreign backers, on President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The legislation aims to reinstate the autonomy of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), which had been undermined by recent government actions. The independence of these agencies is seen as crucial in the fight against corruption, a longstanding issue in the country. The passage of the bill is viewed as a concession by the Zelenskiy administration to address concerns raised by protesters and Ukraine's international partners, who have urged the government to uphold the integrity of anti-corruption efforts. This development highlights the ongoing challenges and reforms needed to combat corruption in Ukraine and maintain the trust of its citizens and global allies.