Zelenskyy Sparks Nationwide Protests Over Anti-Corruption Law

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has faced widespread protests after signing a law that places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under executive oversight, effectively ending their independence. Demonstrators across multiple Ukrainian cities, including Kiev, Maidan Square, Lviv, Dnepr, and Odessa, criticized the move as a step backward for anti-corruption efforts and a threat to Ukraine's democratic progress and ties with the European Union. The law followed raids on anti-corruption agency offices and allegations of espionage and mishandling of classified information, prompting the government to defend the reform as necessary amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Protesters expressed fears that the legislation could enable corruption, especially concerning military budget oversight, a sensitive issue since the war with Russia began. Opposition figures and critics warn this shift could increase authoritarianism and damage Ukraine's reputation internationally. Zelensky has promised to reconsider some policies, and an official address on the issue was expected following the protests.