On July 31, 2025, Ukraine's parliament voted to restore the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). This decision reversed a previous law that had placed these agencies under the control of the prosecutor-general, a move that had sparked widespread protests and criticism from Western allies.
The initial legislation, passed nine days earlier, had granted the prosecutor-general authority over NABU and SAPO, leading to concerns about potential political interference in high-profile corruption cases. In response to the public backlash, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had initially supported the rollback, backed the reversal, aiming to address the political crisis and restore public trust.
The European Commission welcomed the restoration of the agencies' independence, emphasizing its importance for Ukraine's European Union accession goals. Despite the legislative change, SAPO's head warned of continued political pressure, especially since the agencies are actively investigating sitting and former members of parliament, as well as high-ranking officials.
The reinstatement of NABU and SAPO's independence is seen as a crucial step in Ukraine's efforts to combat corruption and align with European standards, reflecting a commitment to transparency and the rule of law.