President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with the heads of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies amid criticism of the law concerning the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
The head of state announced this on social media.
According to him, the meeting was attended by the heads of the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Prosecutor General.
“We all share a common enemy: the Russian occupiers. And defending the Ukrainian state requires a strong enough law enforcement and anti-corruption system — one that ensures a real sense of justice,” the president said.
He stressed that criminal cases should not drag on for years without verdicts, and those who work against Ukraine must be held accountable.
“We all hear what society is saying. We see what people expect from state institutions — ensured justice and the effective functioning of each institution. We discussed the necessary administrative and legislative decisions that would strengthen the work of each institution, resolve existing contradictions, and eliminate threats. Everyone will work together. At the political level, we will provide support,” said the president.
Next week, according to the president, there will be a working meeting on the action plan, and in another week, an agreed plan for change should be ready. The goal is to strengthen state institutions, enhance justice, and protect the interests of society.
On July 22, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the second reading draft law No. 12414 on changes in the pre-trial investigation of crimes related to missing persons. During the preparation for the second reading, amendments regarding the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Officewere added to it.
On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the law, and on July 23, it came into force. The president argued that the law was necessary to “purge” anti-corruption agencies of possible Russian influence. National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, in turn, called on the head of state to veto it.