Von der Leyen demands Kiev's explanations on law restricting anti-corruption agencies, Zelensky takes step back

BRUSSELS. July 24 (Interfax) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has demanded explanations from Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for the reasons behind the adoption of a law stripping Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions of independence, Le Soir newspaper said on Wednesday.

Von der Leyen "expressed strong concern about the impact" of the law that cancels the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies and "demanded explanations from the Ukrainian government," Le Soir quoted a spokesperson for the European Commission president as saying.

Top French and German diplomats also said they are perplexed by this decision made by Kiev and recommended that Ukrainian authorities take a step back. According to French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad, this decision does not facilitate Ukraine's accession to the EU.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, for his part, said that restrictions of the independence of anti-corruption agencies hinder the process of Ukraine's accession to the EU.

Media outlets earlier reported protests in Kiev against a bill adopted by the Verkhovna Rada and signed by Zelensky into law on Tuesday, stripping the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of independence.

Zelensky took a step back on Thursday, Ukrainian media reported. He said that he had agreed and would submit to the Rada a bill guaranteeing the independence of the two anti-corruption agencies, NABU and SAP.

"I have agreed on the text of the bill, which guarantees a real strengthening of the law and order system in Ukraine, the independence of anti-corruption agencies," the media quoted his post on social networks.