Corruption issues behind protests against Zelensky

Thousands of people, including veterans, took to the streets of Kyiv on Tuesday evening to protest against Volodymyr Zelensky's anti-corruption measures.

- By ALEXANDER BUTLER

Thousands of people, including veterans, took to the streets of Kyiv on Tuesday evening to protest against Volodymyr Zelensky's anti-corruption measures. The demonstrations, which have reportedly spread to Lviv and Dnipro, are the first public protests against the Ukrainian president since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Some of those outside Mr Zelensky’s presidential office claimed Ukraine was “turning into Russia”, with placards reading “Welcome to Russia”, according to reports.

“We chose Europe, not autocracy,” read one placard held by a demonstrator. Another read: “My father did not die for this.”

So why are people protesting, and what does the new legislation mean? The Independent takes a closer look.

What are the anti-corruption measures?

Kyiv has toughened restrictions on two anti-corruption agencies at the centre of the government’s reform drive, rolling back their autonomy in favour of tighter executive control. Stamping out endemic graft – a form of political corruption - is a requirement for Kyiv to join the European Union as well as to secure billions in Western aid.