Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka had a conversation with the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, for the second time this week. During the discussion, the main focus was on the situation surrounding the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) following the adoption of Law No. 12414 by the Verkhovna Rada and its signing by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Legislative Initiatives and the Response of Anti-Corruption Bodies
As noted by Taras Kachka, the new draft law approved by President Zelensky aims to ensure the independence of NABU and SAP. The document takes into account the remarks of experts and the international community and emphasizes Ukraine’s openness to cooperation with civil society and partners on the path to European integration.
“I informed Marta Kos about the new draft law approved by Volodymyr Zelensky, aimed at ensuring the independence of NABU and SAP. The draft law addresses the concerns of the expert and international community. Ukraine remains open to dialogue with civil society and partners on its European path. I reaffirmed Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to EU integration and the fight against corruption – beyond any doubt.”
On the same day, a draft law on “strengthening the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office,” initiated by President Zelensky, was published on the official website of the Verkhovna Rada.
NABU positively assessed draft law No. 13533, submitted by the head of state as urgent. According to anti-corruption bodies, this document restores all procedural powers and guarantees the independence of NABU and SAP.
Discussions Surrounding Law No. 12414 and Recent Events
On July 22, the Verkhovna Rada supported draft law No. 12414, which was voted for by 263 members of parliament. However, after the vote, NABU head Semen Kryvonos called on the president to veto this document, pointing out the risks to the independence of anti-corruption bodies.
Despite this, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the draft law on the same day. The head of the Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy of the Verkhovna Rada, Anastasia Radina, representing the Servant of the People faction, expressed the opinion that draft law No. 12414 could turn SAP into a “decorative institution” and make the activities of NABU and SAP dependent on the will of the Attorney General.
These events unfold against the backdrop of large-scale searches conducted on July 21 by employees of the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigations, and the Office of the Attorney General among the staff of the anti-corruption bureau. In total, more than 70 searches were conducted.