FT: Zelenskyy falls from grace as guardian of Ukraine’s democracy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, once hailed as a democratic hero in Ukraine’s fight against Russia, is now facing his biggest political crisis after stripping two key anti-corruption bodies of their independence — a move that has triggered domestic protests and alarmed Ukraine’s European allies.

In a surprise emergency parliamentary session on July 22, Zelenskyy’s party pushed through legislation that removed the operational autonomy of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), Caliber.Az reports per Financial Times.

The decision drew immediate condemnation from civil society and international partners.

“There have been votes in our history that changed the country forever,” wrote Sevgil Musayeva, editor of Ukrainian Truth. “Today is one of those days.”

The backlash forced Zelenskyy to promise new legislation to restore the agencies’ independence. But critics argue the damage is done, jeopardising Ukraine’s EU accession hopes and threatening critical financial support from the EU and the IMF.

NABU and SAPO were created following the 2014 Maidan revolution, with strong backing from the IMF and EU, to tackle high-level corruption and remain symbolically vital for Ukraine’s reform path.

They operate outside presidential control and have targeted senior officials, including the head of the Supreme Court in 2023 and former deputy prime minister Oleksiy Chernyshov — a close Zelenskyy ally — just last month.

Zelenskyy claimed the clampdown was necessary to remove alleged Russian influence, but provided no substantial evidence. Security raids against current and former anti-corruption officials were carried out without court warrants, NABU said, raising concerns of political motivations.

The move follows a pattern of centralising power that critics say is accelerating. Activists, diplomats and opposition figures have accused Zelenskyy of using wartime powers to marginalise rivals and suppress dissent.

Earlier this month, investigators raided the home of prominent anti-corruption campaigner Vitaliy Shabunin, again without a warrant. Independent appointments to other investigative bodies have also been blocked.

Under martial law, elections have been postponed. But Zelenskyy has declined to form a government of national unity or consult the opposition, while popular ministers have been replaced by loyalists.

Government-approved news broadcasts now dominate TV, and independent journalists face intimidation. Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service recently labelled critical media coverage as Russian propaganda.

Many see the hand of Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s powerful chief of staff, behind the recent actions. European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron and European Council President António Costa, urged Zelenskyy to step back — but to no avail.

“In war, trust between the fighting nation and its leadership is more important than modern weapons… easy to lose with one significant mistake,” warned European Commissioner for defence Andrius Kubilius.

Zelenskyy, once the face of liberal resistance, now risks losing the very democratic credibility on which Ukraine’s future depends.

By Aghakazim Guliyev