Chaos Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament: Anti-Corruption Bill Approved Following Major Protests Against Zelensky Since War Prompted Reversal

A BRAWL has erupted in Ukraine’s parliament as Volodymyr Zelensky U-turned on an anti-corruption bill.

The brave President has walked back curbing the power of anti-corruption bodies after protests hit the country.

Two MPs began scrapping as the bill to repeal the week-old change was going through the Verkhovna Rada today.

An MP in a white t-shirt and another spectacled MP in a navy polo shirt threw fists at the start of the livestream of the session.

The pair appear to argue before the man in navy throws a punch and hits the man in white’s armpit.

The man in white then slaps the man back before other MPs quickly jump in and break the pair up.

Although the reason for the scuffle was not known, it occurred amid a tense atmosphere in the chamber.

MPs voted 331 to 0 in favour of the bill to restore the independence of the bodies which are a check on corruption.

Zelensky had last week passed a measure to place the watchdogs under the oversight of the prosecutor-general.

However, Ukrainians took to the streets and allies of Ukraine, including the EU and human rights groups, decried the measure.

Zelensky expressed that his objective was to accelerate ongoing investigations, increase the rate of convictions, and eradicate any Russian interference in these investigations, although he did not elaborate on those details.

He noted the public protests and announced his intention to introduce a new bill to Parliament that emphasizes the need to prevent the prosecutor general and their deputies from directing or disrupting the operations of anti-corruption agencies.

Fighting corruption is crucial for Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU and join the Western bloc of wealthy, allied countries.

It is also key to maintaining access to billions of dollars of vital Western aid in the nearly 3-year all-out war.

Zelensky emphasized the necessity for the bill’s enactment to eliminate any “Russian influence” from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

The offices of the two agencies were raided by Ukraine’s security services on Monday after infiltration allegations from Moscow emerged.

But many civilians strongly disagreed with his beliefs saying the bill now gives Zelensky ultimate power over independent bodies.

Once the bill was approved, thousands gathered in the heart of Kyiv, participating in the largest demonstration against the government since Russia’s brutal invasion began in February 2022.

Although the protests did not demand the president’s resignation, the situation risked eroding public confidence in their leadership during a crucial period.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who had previously considered the recent legislative changes a major regression, welcomed the bill’s approval, acknowledging that lawmakers had rectified the adverse decision from the previous week.

She wrote on X: “Today’s law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain, Kos, who monitors the record of countries that are candidates to join the bloc.

“The EU supports (Ukrainian) citizens demands for reform. Upholding fundamental values & fighting corruption must remain the priority.”

Zelensky speaks following repeal

Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken out following the repeal of the law.

He said: “I want to thank all members of parliament for passing my bill – now officially a law, as I have just signed the document. The text will be published immediately.

“This is a guarantee of the proper independent functioning of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies and all law enforcement agencies.

“It ensures the absence of any external influence or interference, including through regular polygraph checks for all law enforcement personnel who have access to state secrets or have relatives in Russia. This is the right decision.

“It is very important that the state listens to public opinion. That it hears its citizens. Ukraine is a democracy – without a doubt.”

It comes after Russia launched its latest barrage of missiles and kamikaze drones at Ukraine.

Nine people were killed around the country, including six in Kyiv.

One of those was tragically a six-year-old boy.

President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video of burning ruins, saying people were still trapped under the rubble of one residential building.

He said: “Kyiv. Missile strike. Directly into a residential building. People under the rubble. All services are on site. Russian terrorists.”

The brave leader later added: “Today, the world once again saw Russia’s response to our desire for peace, shared with America and Europe.

“New, showcase killings. That is why peace without strength is impossible.”

Heartbreaking scenes saw rescuers carrying the dead child across the rubble of the collapsed nine-storey apartment building in the Sviatoshynskyi district of Kyiv. 

Russia said on Thursday it had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting.

The advance, if confirmed, would mark a significant gain for Moscow’s forces and could enable them to press on towards key “fortress” cities in the Donetsk region, including Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.