Zelensky convenes meeting after protests over the liquidation of NABU and SAP: We hear what society says

President Uladzimir Zielenski held a meeting with the heads of law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies following the unrest caused by the adoption of Law No. 12414. The meeting discussed measures to strengthen public confidence in the justice system and protect the interests of the state.

The meeting was attended by SBU head Vasyl Malyuk, NABU director Semyon Kryvonos, SAP head Oleksandr Klymenko, NAPC head Viktor Pavlushchyk, SBI director Oleksiy Sukhachev, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and Prosecutor-General Ruslan Kravchenko.

Zelensky noted the importance of a frank and informative conversation. According to him, Ukraine's defence is impossible without an efficient and fair system in which criminal cases do not drag on for years and traitors and corrupt officials do not feel impunity.

We discussed administrative and legislative steps that should strengthen the efficiency of each of the structures, eliminate contradictions and remove existing threats," the president said.

He added that within two weeks a joint action plan will be prepared to strengthen institutional stability and protect the interests of the Ukrainian society.

Law No. 12414, which caused a resonance, was adopted on 23 July. It significantly changes the powers of the NABU and the SAP. According to the document, the prosecutor-general is given the right to close proceedings at the request of the defence, to personally sign suspicions against high-ranking officials, as well as to determine the composition of the group of prosecutors, excluding the head of the SAP from this process.

The adoption of the law caused a wave of protests in Kiev and other cities, as the public and part of the expert community regard the innovations as a weakening of the anti-corruption infrastructure.

In addition, as the author of Socialportal notes, Ukraine will face the risks of European integration. Ukraine has faced criticism from the European Union after the adoption of the law limiting the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP).

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Koss said that the adopted changes contradicted the commitments made by Ukraine on the eve of its accession negotiations with the European Union. According to her, one of the key reforms, which was a condition for the start of the European integration process, has been jeopardised