Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a bill into law that restores the independence of the country's anti-corruption agencies, a significant legislative move aimed at reinforcing Ukraine's commitment to fighting corruption. The announcement was made by Zelenskyy in a video statement on X, expressing gratitude towards the Members of Parliament for their support in passing the bill.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, showed overwhelming support for the bill, with 331 lawmakers voting in favor, far exceeding the required 226 votes. This legislative action comes after earlier attempts to bring the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the oversight of the prosecutor general, which had sparked major protests, particularly in Kyiv.

The earlier version of the bill had already been approved by the Verkhovna Rada on July 22, but following public outcry, Zelenskyy initiated a new legislation to ensure the agencies' independence. The revised version of the bill was submitted to parliament on July 24, emphasizing the importance of independent functioning of anti-corruption bodies and law enforcement agencies.

Zelenskyy highlighted that the new law prohibits external influence or interference. It includes provisions such as polygraph checks for all law enforcement personnel with access to state secrets or those with family ties in Russia. He stressed that this decision was necessary to maintain Ukraine's democratic values and the government's responsiveness to public opinion.

The Ukrainian president also assured that the government would keep international partners informed about the new law, underscoring the nation's commitment to transparency and integrity in governance.