Ukraine may lose EU funding if it does not restore independence of NABU and SAPO

The European Union has warned Ukraine that if the Verkhovna Rada does not repeal the controversial provisions of bill No. 12414 in full, Kyiv risks losing financial support from the EU and international institutions.

Representatives of European structures reported this to the European Pravda publication, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

European officials fear that on July 31, the Verkhovna Rada members will not adopt any decision during the vote that would provide for the restoration of the independence of the NABU and the SAPO, or will make amendments to the draft law that nullify the essence of the reforms.

Back on July 24, EU representatives informed the government of Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko through diplomatic channels that they were suspending the allocation of financial assistance to Ukraine until the situation is corrected.

"Everything has been put on hold until the situation is corrected," said one of the European officials.

An EU representative who participated in the negotiations confirmed this information. "Yes, the EU has indeed warned Kyiv. If the law is not adopted, loans from profits from Russian assets under the ERA program will be suspended, we will simply stop providing them. Financing from the EBRD and EIB will also stop," he said on condition of anonymity.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on July 31, the Verkhovna Rada will meet to consider a draft law on strengthening the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.

The Rada's Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy supported President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's draft law on restoring the independence of the NABU and the SAPO.

On July 24, Zelenskyy submitted to parliament for approval draft law No. 13533 on strengthening the powers of the NABU and the SAPO, following a protest against the adoption of draft law No. 12414, which reduces the independence of anti-corruption bodies, and concerns from international partners.