Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is poised to propose new legislation to reinstate the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies following intense public backlash and international criticism after enacting a law targeting these independent bodies.

In an unexpected development, Zelenskyy released a video on X in which he stated, “Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days – on social media, to each other, on the streets. It’s not falling on deaf ears. We analyzed all concerns, all aspects of what needs to be changed and what needs to be stepped up.”

“I will propose a bill to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine that will be the response. It will ensure the strength of the rule of law system, and there will be no Russian influence or interference in the activities of law enforcement. And very importantly – all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place,” he said according to a translated version on the screen.

“That is tantamount to being able to squash any legal accountability for corruption,” Josh Rudolph, anti-corruption expert and senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, told Fox News Digital.

Rudolph noted that the heads of NABU and SAPO are highly reputable professionals and were selected with the concurrence of Ukraine’s international partners, a key component of joining the EU.

“Zelenskyy could have come out as a hero or a villain if he signed the bill. It was a moment of truth,” Orysia Lutsevych, Head of Ukraine Forum, Chatham House, told Fox News Digital. Even though Zelenskyy listened to public opinion and ultimately backed down, his overall popularity continues to take a hit.

ROME, ITALY – JULY 10: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a press conference as part of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC2025) at Roma Convention Center La Nuvola, on July 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. The fourth annual Ukraine Recovery Conference is taking place in Rome on July 10-11, bringing together governments and organizations from the international community committed to the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine, amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.  (Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Ukraine has been plagued by government corruption since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Many Ukraine watchers are worried that efforts to rollback anti-corruption initiatives will be fodder for Russian propaganda and fracture Ukraine’s unity at a critical time in the war.

“Russia can and will use Ukraine’s move to restructure anti-corruption agencies to argue lack of unity, support for the government, and internal disagreements. It will again apply its propaganda arguments about legitimacy of Zelenskyy and the need for elections,” Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of Kyiv School of Economics, told Fox News Digital.

In this handout photo taken from video released by Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023.  (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims Zelenskyy is illegitimate and has called for new elections in Ukraine. Elections were scheduled for March 2024 but postponed while the country remains at war and under martial law.

The disunity within Ukraine comes at a time when Russian forces are escalating large-scale missile and drone strikes in Kyiv and across the country. Russian forces continue to make advances while Kyiv urgently pleads with Europe and the United States to send air defense systems and other key weapons to limit Moscow’s battlefield gains.