Lipavský: Support for Ukraine’s EU membership is not a blank check for all government actions

Prague – Ukraine belongs to Europe, its citizens have Czech support, but it has never been and will not be a blank check for any actions of the government. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated this today on network X regarding the Ukrainian law on combating corruption. The local parliament approved the law on Tuesday, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed it, according to which the anti-corruption agency NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) will be subordinate to the Attorney General.

Lipavský also discussed the matter today with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybih. “We are monitoring the situation in Ukraine. The fight against corruption is a key part of the path to the EU. Ukraine belongs to Europe, and its citizens have our support. However, support has never been and will not be a blank check for any actions of the government,” the minister stated.

The Ukrainian parliament approved a law on Tuesday that limits the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies in the country. On the same day, Zelenskyy also signed it. The Attorney General Ruslan Kravchenko, to whom NABU and SAP will now be subordinate, was appointed to the position in June and is considered by the Kyiv Independent to be loyal to President Zelenskyy.

The approval of the law, which was also criticized by the European Union, triggered the largest public protests in Ukrainian cities since February 2022, when Russia invaded the country. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul today urged Ukraine to continue its consistent fight against corruption, as this step is, in his view, an obstacle on the path to the EU. (July 23)