Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership faced a rare wave of public backlash after he briefly endorsed a controversial law curbing the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). The swift reversal of the law last month, prompted by massive protests across Kyiv and other cities, failed to fully restore the trust he once enjoyed, signaling a turning point in his presidency.

The law, which Zelenskyy claimed was aimed at rooting out Russian influence in the agencies, sparked outrage for its lack of transparency and rapid passage, with lawmakers admitting they barely had time to review it. “It wasn’t just one law—it was an accumulation of frustrations,” said Tetiana Shevchuk of the Anti-Corruption Action Centre. “People are saying, ‘We see everything, and we won’t let the president shield corruption.’”

Public trust in Zelenskyy, once near-universal during Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s 2022 invasion, has notably declined. A Gallup poll released Thursday showed his approval rating at 66%, down from 84% in 2022, while a Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll confirmed a sharp drop in trust since the law’s signing. The protests, among the largest since the 2014 Euromaidan movement, underscored public demand for accountability, even amidst wartime challenges.

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Allegations of corruption within Zelenskyy’s inner circle have fueled discontent. Figures like Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office, and former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov, named a suspect in a land-grab case, have drawn scrutiny. Tymur Mindich, a close associate involved in drone production, also faces corruption allegations, further tarnishing Zelenskyy’s image. “Ukrainians support Zelenskyy’s war efforts, but they’re not blind to the corruption around him,” Shevchuk noted.

The backlash has shifted dynamics in Ukraine’s parliament. Lawmakers, once loyal to Zelenskyy’s agenda, now express caution. “We trusted the president blindly, but that’s changed,” said Oleksandr Merezhko, a member of Zelenskyy’s party. “There’s now a presumption of mistrust.” Parliament’s swift passage of a new bill restoring NABU and SAPO’s independence was praised, but the damage lingers.

Western allies, critical to Ukraine’s war effort, also voiced concerns. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the role of independent anti-corruption bodies, while Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called the reversal a “necessary step” to rebuild trust. The controversy even raised fears about Ukraine’s EU membership bid, with allies warning that democratic backsliding could jeopardize support.

Zelenskyy acknowledged the communication failure, admitting on July 24 that “dialogue was needed.” While his quick response quelled some unrest, the episode exposed vulnerabilities in his leadership. As Ukraine navigates war and internal challenges, Zelenskyy must work to regain the trust of a public and parliament no longer willing to follow blindly.

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