Outrage in Ukraine as the government attacks anti-corruption watchdogs

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1. The passage of Bill 12414, which subordinates Ukraine’s two main independent anti-corruption bodies to the presidentially appointed prosecutor-general during wartime, had the feel of something done in panic. Unveiled at a hastily convened committee session on July 22nd at 8am, neither the committee head nor the majority of members were present. By the afternoon, the bill had been rushed over to the president for signature. Volodymyr Zelensky’s men had been able to find the numbers to comfortably pass the bill, with 263 voting for and just 13 daring to vote against. But the vote to undermine Ukraine’s most consequential anti-corruption reforms casts a shadow over the country’s future course.

   Ukraine has been building up to this moment for several weeks, with what appears to be a growing crackdown on internal dissent. In early July the government blocked the appointment of Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, a well-regarded detective, to the vacant position of Director of the Bureau of Economic Security. That was followed by what appeared to be the politically motivated arrest of Vitaliy Shabunin, a prominent anti-corruption campaigner. In mid-July a shakeup of the government promoted uber-loyalists, including a new prime minister. Then, on July 21st, the domestic security service and the prosecutor-general’s office launched dozens of raids targeting officers at NABU and SAPO—the investigative and prosecution pillars of Ukraine’s independent anti-corruption system, set up under Western oversight after the 2014 Maidan revolution. The officers were accused of corruption and unlawful ties to Russia.

2. Putin is smiling in his sleep hearing this news.

3. It should always be remembered Ukraine is at WAR, and the law only places the body under governmental control during wartime. Does Ukraine still have corruption problems? Almost certainly. But if people don’t face front and try moving in the same direction they won’t have a country to worry about it.

4. Feels greatly exaggerated, at first glance it seems like the agencies are abolished, but they were just subordinated to the prosecutor-general, which is how it works in some other countries, like here in Brazil.

5. The rump parliament of Ukraine. Bust ups between US and Europe weakens Zelinsky’s position at home. Bringing more tools under his belt might be enough to deter would be usurpers. 

6. Do you think there may be a quid pro quo between the Trump and Zelenskyy administrations like in 2019?

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