On July 25, the Vezha Civil Analytics Center held its weekly recap discussion with political and military experts. Main topics included the political crisis over the independence of NABU and SAPO, protest actions against changes to legislation, and limited progress in Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul.
Experts noted the public’s strong reaction not only to the changes affecting NABU and SAPO, but also to the procedures of passing the law. Violations of parliamentary procedure, the president’s swift signing of the law, and the emergence of alternative bills (from the president and MPs) indicate political tension and internal resistance within the government. The key challenge remains the independence of anti-corruption agencies, which is a requirement for cooperation with the EU and further European integration.
The public responded quickly, organizing protests across many cities. Although no major political demands were made, participants called for respect for the rule of law and the preservation of anti-corruption infrastructure. The core reasons for protest include concerns about power concentration and risks to continued international support.
The discussion covered parliamentary processes: the impact of informal coalitions, lack of clear accountability, and the need for a consensus government action program among most political groups.
Internationally, the brief Istanbul talks, held under external pressure mostly from the US presidential race, yielded no breakthrough. However, parties agreed on a new round of POW exchanges and maintained diplomatic contacts.
Special attention was given to the meeting between European leaders and Chinese officials, signaling efforts to find additional ways to influence Russia, as well as potential economic arrangements to end the war.
Experts highlighted the significance of civic protests as a factor in political dialogue. They also underlined increased socio-political tension, the need to strengthen trust in institutions, and the crucial role of western coordination for Ukraine’s European prospects.
