The Ukrainian authorities have launched a crackdown on anti-corruption agencies, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), as their independence is being jeopardized. The bureau’s recent investigations against President Volodymyr Zelensky’s inner circle are believed to be the trigger for the latest crackdown.
Lawmakers and activists have expressed concerns that this is an attempt to eliminate NABU’s independence, and it will be hard for the authorities to do that through parliament, they may crack down on the bureau through the Cabinet or the National Security and Defense Council.
The investigations against high-profile officials, such as former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and a relative of Timur Mindich, a film producer and co-owner of Zelensky’s Kvartal 95 production company, are believed to be the reason behind the crackdown.
Activists have expressed concerns that the lack of a Western reaction to the Ukrainian authorities’ crackdowns on anti-corruption activists and institutions has encouraged the government to launch further attacks. The EU had been reluctant to be tough on the Ukrainian government, and without U.S. leadership, Europe had been unable to pressure Ukraine on reforms.
The West appeared to take a tougher stance later, with the EU’s ambassador to Ukraine saying that it is as important as ever to preserve reform achievements to maintain support needed to prevail over the enemy. The G7 Ambassadors issued a statement expressing concerns and intending to discuss these developments with government leaders.
This crackdown has implications for Ukraine’s relationship with the West, particularly the US, which has been critical of President Zelensky’s handling of corruption in the country.
