The European Commission has issued its strongest criticism yet of Ukraine’s leadership, warning that a new law undermining anti-corruption agencies could jeopardise Kyiv’s EU membership path.

The European Commission is hardening its tone against Ukraine following the approval of a controversial law that weakens the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies — the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

The legislation, signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, just hours after being approved by parliament, places both institutions under the direct oversight of the prosecutor general, a political appointee. The prosecutor general will also have the power to reassign cases being investigated by NABU and SAPO, a move critics warn could erode investigative autonomy and enable political interference.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen telephoned Zelenskyy on Wednesday to express what a Commission spokesperson described as her “strong concerns” and to demand “explanations” from the Ukrainian leadership.

“President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments, and she requested the Ukrainian government for explanations,” the spokesperson said.

“The respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption are core elements of the European Union. As a candidate country, Ukraine is expected to uphold these standards fully. There cannot be a compromise.”

The public rebuke represents a significant shift in tone from Brussels, which has largely offered uncritical political support to Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. This marks the first time the Commission has issued such direct criticism of the Zelenskyy administration.

On Tuesday, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos also condemned the legal amendments, warning they “risk weakening strongly the competences and powers of the anti-corruption institutions of Ukraine.”

“Both institutions, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are widely regarded as cornerstones of Ukraine’s rule of law. These institutions are crucial to Ukraine’s reform agenda and must operate independently to fight corruption and maintain public trust,” the Commission said.

Anti-corruption reform is a core condition for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, and is also seen as essential for attracting foreign private investment needed for post-war reconstruction. Ukraine’s candidate status was granted in June 2022, but further progress requires demonstrable commitment to EU standards.

In response to the backlash, Zelenskyy used his nightly video address to defend the government’s position, suggesting the reforms aim to insulate the institutions from malign foreign influence.

“The anti-corruption infrastructure will work, only without Russian influence – it needs to be cleared of that. And there should be more justice,” Zelenskyy said, referencing recent raids on NABU over alleged Russian espionage links.

“It is important that the Prosecutor General is determined to ensure that in Ukraine, the inevitability of punishment for those who go against the law is actually ensured. This is what Ukraine really needs.”

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