'A significant setback': Netherlands slams controversial law on Ukraine's NABU
Photo: Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp (Getty Images)
The Netherlands responded to Ukraine’s restrictions on the independence of NABU and SAP. Such actions represent a serious step backward in the country’s EU integration process, stated Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
According to the Dutch Foreign Minister, these measures pose a threat to the country’s EU integration efforts.
"Restricting them would be a significant setback. Safeguarding the independence of these institutions and continued progress on the rule of law remain key for Ukraine’s EU accession process," Veldkamp stated.
The politician emphasized that independent anti-corruption institutions are crucial for the reforms Ukraine has committed to implementing.
Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions are vital to its reform path. Restricting them would be a significant setback.
— Caspar Veldkamp (@ministerBZ) July 23, 2025
Safeguarding the independence of these institutions and continued progress on the rule of law remain key for Ukraine’s EU accession process. https://t.co/rgvwXxETfM
Controversial law limiting NABU’s powers
On July 22, the Verkhovna Rada passed bill No. 12414, which significantly changes the distribution of authority among anti-corruption agencies. The new provisions greatly strengthen the role of the Prosecutor General’s Office in cases previously handled exclusively by NABU and SAPO.
Specifically, the Prosecutor General will now have the right to access all materials of NABU criminal proceedings, issue mandatory instructions to detectives, and change case jurisdiction.
In addition, the head of SAPO will lose the ability to be part of the group of prosecutors, effectively reducing their influence over the process.
Parliament approved these changes the day after the Security Service of Ukraine conducted raids on NABU on July 21. During the operation, law enforcement detained one of the employees of the bureau’s elite D-2 unit.
EU Commissioner Marta Kos has already criticized the law for curbing NABU’s powers.
