The European Commission has warned Ukraine that it may completely stop financial assistance under the Ukraine Facility program if pressure on the NABU and SAPO continues. This is reported by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
According to the publication, the Ukrainian government headed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received an official signal: amendments to the law that limit the powers of anti-corruption bodies and subordinate them to the Prosecutor General jeopardize all subsequent tranches of assistance.
Opposition MP Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze confirmed that the EU sent the following message: "Financial assistance under the EU Facility will be frozen if the situation with anti-corruption bodies is not corrected."
The Ukraine Facility program provides for the allocation of EUR 50 billion to Ukraine by 2027. Most of these funds are directed directly to the state budget.
In a report by the European Commission, which was received by the embassies of the EU countries, the searches and arrests at NABU were called "the most serious interference in the work of the anti-corruption system of Ukraine since its creation." The document emphasizes that such actions demonstrate the possibility of limiting the autonomy of NABU and SAPO and call into question the achievements of anti-corruption reform.
Brussels emphasized that NABU and SAPO are "cornerstones of the rule of law in Ukraine" and must remain independent.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on July 24, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to the parliament for approval Bill No. 13533 on strengthening the powers of NABU and SAPO.
This happened against the backdrop of days of protests against the adoption of Bill No. 12414, which reduces the independence of anti-corruption bodies. It was adopted on July 22 and signed by the head of state on the same day.
On July 25, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk announced that MPs would gather to consider Bill No. 13533 next Thursday, July 31.
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