Reform or Revenge?
The summer of 2025 turned up the heat — not just in temperature, but in political tension. Amid an ongoing war with Russia, where every hryvnia counts, Ukraine’s government moved to “optimize” its anti-corruption architecture. But instead of applause, it faced protests, international backlash, and a sharp decline in public trust.
Law No. 12414: A Blow to the Independence of NABU and SAP
On July 22, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law that effectively placed NABU and SAP under the authority of the Prosecutor General — a political appointee. Though presented as a technical adjustment, the bill was quietly amended to strip key anti-corruption bodies of their autonomy. The fallout was swift: President Zelensky’s approval rating dropped from 65% in June to 58% by August. Thousands took to the streets in Kyiv and other cities, demanding the law’s repeal. The EU responded by slashing €1.5 billion in aid, citing Ukraine’s failure to deliver on promised reforms.
So Who’s Blocking Reform?
According to open sources, anti-corruption agencies had begun probing figures close to the president. NABU and SAP were investigating:
- Oleksiy Chernyshov — former Deputy Prime Minister, suspected of land fraud.
- Oleh Tatarov — Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, implicated in a bribery case.
- Tymur Mindich — a longtime friend of Zelensky, linked to shady construction deals.
These investigations triggered a push to “reformat” the anti-corruption system. In August, NABU completed a probe into the top management of the state-owned Kharkivoblenergo. The scheme involved inflated equipment prices, shell companies, and money laundering through fake contractors. And that’s just one example of systemic corruption thriving even during wartime.
Is European Integration at Risk?
As of now, Ukraine has failed to deliver on 3 of the 16 reforms pledged to the EU, including:
- Reform of ARMA.
- Appointment of judges to the High Anti-Corruption Court.
- Decentralization of executive power.
This has led to reduced funding under the Ukraine Facility program. Meanwhile, Ukraine dropped one point in Transparency International’s ranking, falling to 105th out of 180 countries — a warning sign of performative reform and lack of real change.
So Is This a Win — or a Warning?
The anti-corruption drama of summer 2025 revealed two things: Civil society still has the power to push back. International partners can still punish — in euros. But will that be enough to stop corruption’s comeback?
“This isn’t just a law. It’s a test of democratic maturity. And right now — we’re on the edge of failure,” says legal expert Andriy Biletsky.