Zelensky’s reputational damage has become irreversible due to NABU – The Spectator

The reputational damage suffered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the situation with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has been described as irreversible.

This opinion was expressed by columnist Svitlana Morenets in an article for the British publication The Spectator.

The author recalled that last week, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) approved a law that significantly reduced NABU’s powers, which sparked protests across the country. Following this backlash, the parliament reversed its decision.

“In two rapid consecutive readings, 331 MPs voted to restore NABU’s independence (…). Zelensky immediately signed the bill. However, the reputational damage was already irreversible,” Morenets wrote in the article for the Western outlet.

According to Morenets, the bill aimed at curtailing NABU’s powers was designed to protect people in Zelensky’s inner circle from corruption charges.

On July 22, it was reported that Ukraine had approved a law to weaken NABU, effectively dismantling the agency. Zelensky signed the bill the same day, which triggered protests in Kyiv and other cities across the country.

On July 31, the parliament reinstated the powers of NABU and SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office), and the Ukrainian president signed the new law.