Protests continue in Ukraine over the dilution of powers of anti-corruption agencies
Ukraine is facing serious internal and external pressures. Internally, mass protests have broken out in Kyiv, Lviv, and other major cities following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's move to dilute the jurisdiction of two anti-corruption bodies that operate independently. Protesters, shrouded in Ukrainian colors, amassed at places such as the Ukrainian embassy in Warsaw, furious over what they saw as erosion of anti-corruption efforts.
Reacting to popular demand, Zelenskyy vowed to introduce a new bill to fortify the rule of law and protect the autonomy of such institutions and tackle suspicions of Russian influence. In a video message, he recognized the voice of the people when he said, "It's not falling on deaf ears." Nevertheless, demonstrators are not convinced and see the action as inadequate to regain trust. This scandal has the potential to derail Ukraine's efforts in obtaining international assistance, as it is receiving criticism from important allies such as the EU, Germany, and France.
Ukraine's issues are also externally burdened with continued conflict and stalled negotiations towards peace talks with Russia. Late-night Russian strikes hit Odesa's ports and logistics facilities, destroying civilian infrastructure and heightening tensions. In Istanbul, the most recent round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations, the "briefest yet," took a mere 35 minutes and produced little in terms of progress. Three lines of communication were identified by Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov: setting up a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, calling for a ceasefire, and setting up prisoner exchanges.
However, Ukrainian efforts have been thwarted by Russia's insistence on establishing buffer zones along the border and its refusal to accept a full ceasefire, instead proposing only brief humanitarian pauses. Ukrainian official Heorhii Tykhyi stressed the importance of a full ceasefire, saying, "Guns need to be silent so diplomats can talk." The Kremlin's hesitation to promise a Zelenskyy-Putin meeting prior to August also further reduces hopes for prompt peace.
These internal and external events coincide at a crucial moment for Ukraine as it tries to ride out domestic turmoil and sustain international support. Regularly failing peace talks and Russian aggressions highlight the urge of seeking peace, as protests display the public sentiment, anxious about the governance. This pushes Ukraine to be in a dire need for balancing its internal reforms with diplomatic success.
