On July 22, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a controversial law that stripped the nation's anti-corruption agencies of their independence, a move that triggered widespread protests across Kyiv and other cities. The legislation, which was approved by Ukrainian lawmakers, was criticized for potentially undermining efforts to combat high-level corruption and weakening the rule of law. This marked the first major public dissent against Zelenskiy's leadership since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022. The law targeted key anti-graft institutions, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), rolling back their autonomy in favor of tighter executive control. The move drew concern and criticism from Western allies, including the European Union, which urged Ukraine to uphold the independence of its anti-corruption bodies. In response to the public outcry and international pressure, Zelenskiy announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at restoring the independence of these agencies and eliminating Russian influence over their activities. He submitted a presidential bill to the Verkhovna Rada that promised to strengthen the law enforcement system and ensure real independence for NABU, SAPO, the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI), and the police, including measures such as regular lie detector tests for officers with access to secrets. Following debates and continued public pressure, Ukraine's parliament voted on July 31, 2025, to approve the bill restoring the independence and powers of the anti-corruption agencies. The parliamentary decision was welcomed by civil society, European partners, and international observers as a step to defuse the political crisis and reinforce the country's commitment to fighting corruption. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the new law as an important decision for Ukraine's democracy, rule of law, and European integration path. The restoration of the agencies' autonomy was seen as a move to rebuild trust in Zelenskiy's wartime leadership amid ongoing challenges.