Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law a contentious bill that places the country’s leading anti-corruption agencies under the control of the prosecutor general, drawing sharp criticism from civil society, opposition leaders, and Western allies.

The new law grants Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko—widely seen as a Zelensky loyalist—authority over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). Under the legislation, Kravchenko can reassign cases or shut down investigations, sparking fears of political interference and backsliding on democratic reforms.

Zelensky defended the move in a national address Wednesday, insisting it was necessary to remove lingering “Russian influence” from the institutions. He claimed the changes would speed up prosecutions and ensure accountability in long-stalled corruption cases worth billions. “The inevitability of punishment is more important than preserving inefficiency,” Zelensky said.

But the law has ignited widespread backlash. Thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets in Kyiv in the largest anti-government demonstration since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. Protests also erupted in Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa, with demonstrators holding signs like “We chose Europe, not autocracy” and “My father didn’t die for this.”

Critics say the bill undermines Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts and threatens the institutional independence that followed the 2014 Euromaidan revolution, which ousted pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych.

International alarm was swift. The European Union—where Ukraine is seeking membership—warned the legislation could jeopardize Kyiv’s accession bid. “This is a serious step backward,” said European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. EU spokesperson Guillaume Mercier stressed that Ukraine’s financial support is contingent on progress in transparency and democratic reform.

Despite assurances from Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka that the “core functions” of NABU and SAPO would remain untouched, skepticism remains. Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the legislation “a bad day for Ukraine,” warning that Zelensky risks alienating public support.

Western governments, including G7 nations, have requested meetings with Ukrainian officials to discuss the future of the anti-corruption bodies. However, they have so far avoided threatening a reduction in aid, aware of the ongoing war with Russia and Ukraine’s fragile political stability.

The timing of the bill’s passage has further fueled suspicions. Days earlier, Ukrainian security forces raided NABU offices, citing alleged Russian infiltration. Opponents see this as part of a broader attempt to tighten political control over institutions meant to remain independent.

As Ukraine moves forward with its EU integration process, Zelensky’s government faces growing pressure—at home and abroad—to reaffirm its commitment to transparency and democratic governance.