Trust in Zelenskyy Diminished Even After Reversal of Law That Fueled Anti-Graft Protests

The initial decision to sign the proposal hurt Zelenskyy's standing among Ukrainians

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KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy quickly reversed course last month on a law that would have curbed the independence of the country's anti-corruption watchdogs after widespread protests that threatened the stability of his leadership for the first time since Russia's invasion.

It's unlikely that the damage to the president's image can be changed as easily.

Zelenskyy's reversal followed years of public discontent that simmered around his inner circle, some of whom have been accused of corruption. But Ukrainians have been largely deferential toward their president in wartime, trusting him to lead the fight against the Kremlin and even acquiescing in the suspension of some civil liberties.

The protests showed the limits of that goodwill after the public concluded that Zelenskyy's fast-tracking of the law was a step too far.