After Zelensky’s latest power grab, Brussels warns Ukraine’s EU candidacy is threatened

 

 Zelensky may be violating rule of law, but Ukraine's EU funding is unlikely to be cut

As rule of law continues to deteriorate in Ukraine, Hungarian media outlets are asking how it is possible the country is in contention to join the European Union, despite having no elections, no free press, rampant corruption, and an ongoing war on its eastern front. However, after President Volodymyr Zelensky’s latest power grab, the EU appears to be under pressure to finally speak out against his actions.

 

Zelensky’s move to bring Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies under his rule with a new law has put his country’s EU ambitions in jeopardy, top European politicians are now warning, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

 

“The president of the European Commission was in contact with President Zelenskyy about these latest developments,” Guillaume Mercier, European Commission spokesperson, told Politico. “President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments, and she requested an explanation from the Ukrainian government.

 

The respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption are core elements of the European Union. As a candidate country, Ukraine is expected to uphold these standards fully. There cannot be a compromise,” Mercier added.

 

However, a host of officials are now raising the alarm as protests spread in Ukraine against the Zelensky regime. The outrage comes after the Ukrainian parliament voted for a change in the law that centralizes the prosecutor’s powers and ends the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Office (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP)

 

The new law sparked concerns in the international press and from civil organizations like Transparency International. 

 

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrote on X on Wednesday that “restricting the independence of the Ukrainian anti-corruption agency burdens the path of Ukraine into the EU. I expect Ukraine to consistently continue the fight against corruption. Therefore, I also met with the heads of NABU and SAPO in Kyiv.”

Die Einschränkung der Unabhängigkeit der ukrainischen Antikorruptionsbehörde belastet den Weg der #Ukraine in die EU. Ich erwarte von der Ukraine die konsequente Fortsetzung der Korruptionsbekämpfung. Deshalb traf ich in Kyjiw auch die Leiter von #NABU und #SAPO. pic.twitter.com/Ul3OAOkIm8

— Johann Wadephul (@AussenMinDE) July 23, 2025

 

 

 

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