OECD Warns Ukraine: Anti-Corruption Law Threatens Defense Investments
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued a stark warning to Ukraine, cautioning that recent legislative changes undermining the country’s anti-corruption institutions could jeopardize critical defense investments and reconstruction aid.
The Gaze reports this, referring to European Pravda.
In a letter dated July 22 and addressed to Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, OECD Anti-Corruption Division head Julia Fromholz expressed “deep concern” over the recent adoption of Law No. 12414.
The legislation, signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later that same day, significantly weakens the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), according to the OECD official.
Fromholz warned that the law may be viewed by the OECD Working Group as a breach of Ukraine’s commitments under international anti-corruption frameworks.
She emphasized that unless corrective measures are taken, the move could have far-reaching consequences.
“If the problem remains unresolved, it will not only jeopardize Ukraine’s prospects of joining the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and its broader efforts to join the OECD, but also undermine its credibility among international partners, including those considering investment in Ukraine’s defense sector and its long-term reconstruction,” Fromholz stated.
The OECD urged the Ukrainian government to take immediate action to safeguard the independence of NABU and SAPO, even if the legislation has already entered into force.
“We strongly encourage further legislative changes to address these concerns,” Fromholz added, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
Prior to the bill’s adoption in the Verkhovna Rada, the European Commission had already voiced concern, stating that NABU and SAPO play a vital role in Ukraine’s reform agenda and must remain independent to uphold public trust and combat corruption effectively.
As The Gaze reported earlier, President Zelenskyy convened a high-level meeting with the heads of Ukraine’s key law enforcement and anti-corruption institutions to address public concerns and reinforce the state’s commitment to justice.