Law No. 12414 – What happened?

On July 22, 2025, the Ukrainian parliament passed Law No. 12414, which places the main anti-corruption agencies under the control of the Prosecutor General.

Simply explained:
The NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine) and SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office) had previously been independent — they investigated corruption in the government, including within the president’s circle.
In the future, their work will be controlled by a structure subordinate to the Prosecutor General — and the Prosecutor General is appointed by the president. This means that the investigators must now report to those they are actually supposed to investigate.
This undermines the independent oversight that has been built since the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and violates the EU accession criteria.

How are Ukrainians reacting?
This decision has sparked the largest protests since the start of the full-scale russian invasion in 2022. Citizens, veterans’ groups, activists, journalists, and lawyers took to the streets in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Odesa.

People called on the president not to sign the law in order to preserve the independence of anti-corruption oversight. They are demonstrating for their country — to protect the democratic path and international trust.
However, on the evening of July 22, President Zelensky still signed Law No. 12414 — despite public pressure from the protests.

How could Russia exploit this?
Internal political crises are ideal fuel for russian propaganda.
Through disinformation, fake narratives, and targeted manipulation, the Kremlin is trying to weaken Western support for Ukraine.

But this does not harm the government; it undermines Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against the russian attack.

What can we do?
Stay vigilant against russian disinformation — they will try to exploit situations like this for their own interests. Therefore, rely on independent Ukrainian media.

Remind politicians and societies in the EU:
Ukrainians are disappointed by this law, are taking to the streets, and are resisting. Right now, it is about supporting Ukraine. Because less support does not hit “those at the top,” but the people who fight every day — at the front, in hospitals, in destroyed cities. Stand by Ukraine — out of loyalty to those who bravely stand up for democracy and freedom.

Support the Ukrainian Defense Forces
Ukraine needs us — and it needs us now. The defense forces, in particular, face enormous challenges in protecting the country and its people.

Support reliable aid funds or units directly — so that vital equipment reaches where it is needed.

What is necessary now:

• Pressure from institutions like the IMF and the EU on the power structures in Ukraine.

• Withdrawal of visa-free travel for those who voted for Law No. 12414.

• Sanctions against officials who voted for or pushed this law forward.