Amidst rising domestic unrest and pointed criticism from the European Union, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has propelled a new legislative measure aimed at reinforcing the independence of the nation’s anti-corruption institutions. Announced last Thursday, the bill is now before the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, with deliberations set for the end of July.

This legislative move comes in response to the contentious law 4555-IX, adopted earlier in the week, which has been widely criticized for undermining the autonomy of Ukraine’s key anti-corruption bodies – the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). Established post-2014 Euromaidan protests as prerequisites for international financial aid, these institutions have been crucial in Ukraine's fight against corruption.

The adoption of law 4555-IX sparked widespread protests across major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Dnipro, Lviv, and Odesa. Protestors argue that the law dilutes the effectiveness and authority of NABU and SAPO, potentially jeopardizing the country’s democratic integrity and EU accession prospects.

In contrast, the new bill presented by President Zelenskyy aims to restore full autonomy to these bodies and includes mechanisms to prevent external interference, specifically from Russian influences, and to halt potential abuses within the system. "EU experts have been consulted to ensure the engagement of all necessary expert capabilities," Zelenskyy stated, indicating a collaborative approach to refining the bill.

The European Union, having expressed significant concerns over the implications of law 4555-IX, looks keenly at this new development. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, had previously contacted President Zelenskyy, stressing the importance of maintaining robust anti-corruption frameworks as a cornerstone of Ukraine’s candidacy for EU membership.

Further adding to the international voices of concern, Human Rights Watch has criticized the recent legislative changes for endangering the rule of law in Ukraine. The organization also highlighted ongoing targeting of anti-corruption activists, which underscores the tense backdrop against which this new bill is being debated.

As the Ukrainian parliament gears up to discuss this new bill, the international community, as well as Ukrainian citizens, watch closely, hopeful for a law that will strengthen, rather than weaken, the country's institutional safeguards against corruption.