Ukraine Moves to Reinstate Anti-Corruption Agencies’ Independence
The Ukrainian anti-corruption agency, Nabu, stated that a new bill submitted to parliament on Thursday "fully reinstates procedural authority and safeguards the independence of Nabu and Sapo." Nabu investigates corruption cases, while Sapo handles prosecutions. A Nabu announcement noted that both agencies contributed to drafting the legislation and called on lawmakers "to approve the president’s proposal in full without delay. This will safeguard ongoing investigations conducted by Nabu and Sapo."
The EU expressed support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to restore the agencies' autonomy after a recent law revoked it, sparking public protests and international concern. The Ukrainian president said the additional measure would uphold legal principles and ensure the agencies remain independent. An EU representative said, "Our substantial financial assistance to Ukraine is tied to advancements in transparency, judicial reforms, and democratic governance." These concerns were echoed by European leaders advising Zelenskyy during the crisis, including Ursula von der Leyen, Germany’s Friedrich Merz, and the UK’s Keir Starmer.
Tensions over the Ukraine conflict emerged during talks between EU officials and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday. European Council President Antonio Costa said discussions focused on urging China to discourage Russia’s military actions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had earlier accused China of supporting Russia’s wartime economy. Xi responded by calling for managing disagreements carefully, adding, "Europe’s current challenges do not stem from China."
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that a Russian attack killed three displaced family members in the Kharkiv region. The victims—a father, mother, and son—had relocated to Pidlyman village after fleeing their hometown. A subsequent strike on Kharkiv city injured 33 people, among them a 10-year-old girl and two teenagers, according to local officials. In a separate incident, Russian drones and missiles injured seven people, including a child, in Cherkasy.
The US State Department approved $330 million in military assistance for Ukraine, including $150 million for howitzer maintenance and $180 million for air defense systems. The Pentagon listed BAE Systems, Allison Transmission, and other defense firms as involved contractors. This follows a separate $322 million arms sale for air defense missiles and armored vehicles announced earlier in the week.
In other developments, Reuters reported that an Indian company exported $1.4 million worth of a missile-related explosive to a European intermediary, raising concerns about potential diversion to Russia.
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