On July 22, the Veza Center for Public Analytics conducted an interview with political scientist Maksym Nesvitailov on recent political and anti-corruption developments in Ukraine.
The main focus was on the Ukrainian parliament’s approval of a law that, according to the expert, significantly reduces the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). Nesvitailov noted that the recent detention of several detectives, searches, and charges of drug trafficking or treason had major public resonance. The expert pointed out that, while the Security Service of Ukraine had grounds for the investigative actions, the overall media narrative appears as an attempt to discredit anti-corruption bodies.
The key issue was the political underpinnings of passing the bill the day after high-profile arrests. Nesvitailov suggested that the Presidential Office may use the situation for political maneuvering—in particular, the president could veto the law or delay signing, responding to public and international reaction.
A separate part of the interview focused on the anticipated Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Istanbul, which are rumored to take place in the coming days. According to the expert, Ukraine’s initiative is aimed at demonstrating constructiveness to Western partners and exerting additional pressure on Russia. The discussion covered potential results: prisoner exchanges, humanitarian questions, and shifts in the Western approach to the conflict.
The position of European countries toward the war was also analyzed. The expert noted that there are concerns in Europe about possible changes in the military-political balance if the conflict is frozen or ends.
The interview concluded that public discussion of internal politics and security remains crucial, as does consistent pressure on international partners to ensure military support for Ukraine.
