Ukraine’s digital minister explains backstory of NABU and SAPO presidential bill
Photo: Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
A large team was involved in resolving the issue of restoring the powers of NABU and SAPO, with everyone from the government side coordinating work in this area. The Ministry of Justice team, led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, was comprehensively engaged, stated Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
"I joined the process as Deputy Prime Minister and actively supported the development of the law, relying on my experience of working with various state agencies within joint digital and military projects," Fedorov said.
He noted that the result was the creation of a new balanced draft law that will restore the state's anti-corruption infrastructure.
What preceded the presidential bill on NABU and SAPO
On July 22, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada passed bill No. 12414 in its entirety, which limited the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). That same day, the law was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The law came into force the next day, July 23, following its publication in the official parliamentary newspaper Holos Ukrainy.
This move sparked a wave of public backlash — protests erupted in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities, with demonstrators demanding the preservation of the independence of key anti-corruption institutions.
Moreover, prior to the adoption of the controversial bill, NABU and SAPO officers faced a series of mass searches. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor General’s Office alleged they had uncovered Russian influence within NABU. Some employees were accused of state treason, corruption, and illegal cooperation with Russia.
In response to the protests, President Zelenskyy stated that he respects public opinion calling for the independence of NABU and SAPO.
On July 24, he submitted a new draft law, No. 13533, to the Verkhovna Rada, which he said would strengthen the rule-of-law system.
On the one hand, the bill is intended to guarantee the independence of NABU and SAPO. However, it includes a caveat: the proposed legislation requires that employees of NABU and other law enforcement bodies with access to state secrets must undergo polygraph testing at least once every two years.
On July 29, the Verkhovna Rada’s Anti-Corruption Committee approved Zelenskyy’s new bill.
According to MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak from the Holos party, during the review, NABU confirmed it had no objections to the draft.
The next step lies with the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Law Enforcement, which will consider the initiative tomorrow.
Parliament is expected to convene on July 31 to vote on the presidential bill aimed at restoring the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies.
The situation surrounding NABU and SAPO also drew international attention. Representatives of the EU, the US, and other nations urged Ukrainian authorities not to undermine anti-corruption institutions and to uphold transparency — a key condition for continued international support.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos called the adoption of the bill "a serious step back," while the G7 ambassadors expressed concern.
According to information obtained by RBC-Ukraine from the European Commission, the next tranche of EU aid under the Ukraine Facility program is expected to be significantly reduced, and the anti-corruption scandal may have influenced this decision.
Western media also reported that the European Commission warned the Ukrainian government that EU funding could be completely suspended if pressure on key anti-corruption bodies continues.
