Zelensky Defends Law Curbing Anti-graft Agencies' Independence

The adoption of the law provoked the major protest in Kyiv since the war began (Credit: AFP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday defended legislative changes removing the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies, sparking the first major protests in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion.

The bill passed on Tuesday is the latest in a series of moves criticised by Ukrainian anti-corruption activists. They warn that growing government pressure threatens Ukraine's reforms and ambition to join the European Union.