**EU Chief Urges Ukraine to Protect Anti-Corruption Bodies**
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has called on Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to protect the country’s independent anti-corruption bodies. This comes as Zelenskiy signaled that legislation supporting these agencies could be adopted within days.
In a statement made after speaking with Zelenskiy on Sunday, von der Leyen emphasized the importance of preserving Ukraine’s rule of law. “Ukraine has already achieved a lot on its European path,” she said. “It must build on these solid foundations and preserve independent anti-corruption bodies, which are cornerstones of Ukraine’s rule of law.”
Zelenskiy had earlier faced public criticism for his plans to strip the autonomy of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies. However, after von der Leyen’s call, he submitted a new draft legislation that aims to restore their independence.
**A Shift in Course for Zelenskiy**
This sudden change in course is a significant development, and it suggests that Zelenskiy may be rethinking his approach to anti-corruption efforts. The Ukrainian leader has been under pressure from the EU to take concrete steps to address corruption, which has long been a major issue in Ukraine.
The fact that Zelenskiy submitted the new draft legislation within days of speaking with von der Leyen suggests that he may be willing to work closely with the EU on this issue. This could have significant implications for Ukraine’s relationship with Europe and its bid to join the EU.
**EU Support for Ukraine**
Von der Leyen also used her statement to reiterate the EU’s support for Ukraine’s path to membership. “Ukraine can count on our support to deliver progress on its European path,” she said. This comes as Ukraine continues to navigate a complex and challenging environment, with ongoing tensions with Russia and other regional actors.
The fact that von der Leyen has chosen to highlight this issue suggests that the EU is committed to ensuring that Ukraine makes meaningful progress on anti-corruption efforts. This could have significant implications for Ukraine’s future relationship with Europe and its ability to join the EU.
Read More @ www.reuters.com
