Protests Kick Off In Kiev After Zelensky Shuts Down US-Backed Anti-Corruption Agency

Over 2,000 people gathered near the Ukrainian president's office to protest a new law that gives President Zelensky greater control over the country's anti-corruption agencies. The law, signed by Zelensky, eliminates the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). Critics warn that this move will hand Zelensky's circle enormous influence over investigations and undermine anti-corruption efforts. The anti-corruption agencies will now be placed under the wartime authority of the prosecutor-general, who is appointed by the president. The move has sparked widespread criticism, with many warning that it will lead to authoritarianism and undermine Ukraine's bid to join the EU. The European Commission has expressed concern that the move could hold back Ukraine's EU membership bid, and ambassadors from the Group of Seven countries have also voiced their concerns. The law is seen as a blow to Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure, which was established after the 2014 revolution. The move is also seen as a way for Zelensky to protect himself and his allies from corruption investigations. The opposition had been using the anti-corruption complex to pressure the government, but the lack of Western support emboldened Zelensky to take action. The move has been widely condemned, with many warning that it will have serious consequences for Ukraine's democracy and rule of law.