The President of the European Commission communicated with President Zelenskyy regarding recent changes, as stated by European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier to POLITICO. President von der Leyen expressed strong concerns over the impact of the amendments and requested explanations from the Ukrainian government.
“The rule of law and combating corruption are fundamental to the European Union. As a candidate country, Ukraine is expected to fully adhere to these standards. There cannot be a compromise,” Mercier asserted.
European Council President António Costa also voiced concerns to Zelenskyy and sought explanations, according to an EU official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
In Brussels, EU officials are diligently working to advance Ukraine’s accession bid despite resistance from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Ukraine’s path may face further delays as its allies emphasize that rule-of-law and anti-corruption reforms are non-negotiable prerequisites for EU membership.
In a direct warning, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated on X that “curbing the independence of anti-corruption agencies curtails Ukraine’s journey towards the EU.”
Zelenskyy’s legislation transferred Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) under the prosecutor general’s authority, which agencies claim compromises their independence.
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