The Ukrainian parliament today voted in favor of intensifying the restrictions on two major corruption fighting services at the center of government reform of the government’s reform effort, abolishing their autonomy in favor of a stricter executive.

Eliminating endemic corruption is a key prerequisite for Kiev’s accession to the European Union, as well as to secure billions of western aid. Independent researchers have brought in a difficult position in recent months senior corruption officials.

Today’s vote paves the way for the Attorney General appointed by the president, to more control the National Corruption Office of Ukraine and the Public Prosecutor’s Corruption Office, several MPs said.

On Monday, the Kiev Security Service arrested two Nabu officials as suspects of ties with Russia and conducted investigations into service officials for other reasons.

No senior official publicly commented on the reasoning of the bill, which would allow the Attorney General to transfer cases from the services and to assign them to other prosecutors.

President Volodimir Zelenski’s office did not respond immediately to a request to comment on the issue.

Speaking to reporters in Kiev, Nabu’s director Semon Krivanos called on Zelenski not to sign the law, which described him as an attempt to “destroy” corruption infrastructure in Ukraine.

Pressures on the services

Prior to the vote, European Commission spokesman Giyom Mersie expressed his concern about the growing pressure exerted on the services.

“These institutions are critical to Ukraine’s reform agenda and must act independently to combat corruption and maintain public confidence,” he said.

Nabu and Sapo services were founded after the Maidan revolution in 2014 that overturned the pro -President and made Kiev turn to the West

The two services have intensified their work after Russia’s military invasion, reciting charges against MPs, Ministers and a former Ukrainian Vice -President.

Against corruption activists have been worried since the authorities have charged a leading anti -corruption activist earlier this month for fraud and avoiding military service.

Critics have described these categories as political retaliation for revelations of corrupt officials.

‘The most dangerous moment’

A western diplomat who is aware of Ukraine’s reform effort has described developments as the “most dangerous moment” to date for the independence of the Authorities of Corruption.

“The Ukrainian side is testing its limits more and more,” he said, referring to the patience of the Kiev allies.

The government has also been criticized for rejecting the candidacy of a NABU financial director and current NABU police officer who was unanimously supported by an internationally supervised committee.

Many Ukrainians who have influence have launched attacks after today’s vote, saying it was a betrayal of the country’s ten -year geopolitical ambition.

“What kind of European integration can we talk now? !!!” He wrote on the X platform by Sergi Pritula, a prominent funder of the Armed Forces and a former politician. “Shame,” he added.