Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, announced this.“The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will hold a session to consider the urgent presidential bill On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine to Strengthen the Powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (registration number 13533) on July 31, 2025,” Stefanchuk stated.He added that during the consideration of this bill, he would propose adopting it both as a basis and in full, as well as supporting its urgent signing.“In addition, the parliament will consider other important legislative initiatives,” the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada noted.Ukraine’s anti-corruption laws: backgroundOn July 22, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a bill passed by the Verkhovna Rada that includes provisions limiting the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP), placing their activities under the authority of the Prosecutor General. The bill’s status card was updated three times: initially marked as signed by the president, then the note disappeared, and later the signature of Zelenskyy reappeared.After the vote in the Verkhovna Rada, thousands of Ukrainians in major cities held peaceful protests, demanding that the president veto the law that significantly limits the powers of the anti-corruption agencies.The European Union has expressed serious concern over Ukraine’s adoption of Law No. 12414, which limits the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. According to European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier, these institutions are vital for anti-corruption reforms and must operate independently to maintain public trust and support Ukraine’s EU integration.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen personally addressed President Zelenskyy, demanding an explanation and stressing that compromising the rule of law is unacceptable—especially given Ukraine’s EU candidate status. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that weakening NABU’s independence is a “serious step backward” and could undermine Ukraine’s EU membership prospects. Representatives of France and Germany also voiced concern, urging Kyiv to revise the law and preserve institutional safeguards for these bodies’ independence.Overall, Brussels believes the law threatens Ukraine’s institutional resilience, democratic direction, and Western support—especially in light of the ongoing war and its EU aspirations.On July 24, it became known that members of parliament had drafted and submitted their own bill to the Verkhovna Rada aimed at restoring the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.On July 24, Zelenskyy approved the text of another bill aimed at strengthening the law enforcement system and guaranteeing the independence of anti-corruption agencies. Later that day, he submitted a bill to the Ukrainian Parliament to enhance the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. The agencies reported their involvement in the bill’s development, stating it restores all procedural powers and guarantees.