Business risks are increasing

In late July 2025, the Ukrainian authorities made an attempt to bring independent anti-corruption institutions under their control. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) have maintained a high level of independence for years, which has made them inconvenient for the current Ukrainian ruling elite. For this reason, the authorities have long sought to limit their autonomy.

As part of this strategy, a broad information and political campaign was launched with the aim of systematically discrediting both institutions. These efforts also included the involvement of law enforcement agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), indicating a coordinated character of the operation.

Within just two days, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Law No. 12414, which granted the Prosecutor General — a figure directly linked to the president — the right to review all cases handled by NABU and SAP, issue binding instructions to investigators, and reassign or close cases beyond their jurisdiction. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the law immediately, just one day after the vote.

Following a wave of public protests and strong international pressure, the president announced a new draft law aimed at restoring the independence of NABU and SAP. The amendment was passed by parliament on July 31, 2025, and signed into law on the same day. As a result, the provisions subordinating both institutions to the Prosecutor General were repealed. Nevertheless, the new legislation still grants the SBU certain supervisory powers, which may create a potential channel for political influence.

This situation clearly demonstrates that the Ukrainian authorities undertook the most serious attempt in years to curtail the independence of key anti-corruption bodies. This attempt was thwarted solely thanks to the mobilization of civil society, resistance from the opposition, and firm reactions from Ukraine’s international partners.

‼️ It follows that the current Ukrainian authorities are not fully committed to fighting corruption. Such actions pose tangible risks for foreign investors and may significantly hinder the conduct of business operations within Ukrainian territory.