EU commitments boost anti-corruption agencies’ independence, but gaps remain — NABU and SAPO

Ukraine continues to fulfill its obligations regarding the strengthening of the independence of its anti-corruption institutions, a key part of the European integration process. While the heads of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) believe new measures strengthen their institutional capacity, they noted that certain gaps still remain.

Semen Kryvonos, Director of the NABU, explained at the Donbas Media Forum that a significant part of the first cluster of the EU accession roadmap focuses on strengthening the independence of the NABU and the SAPO.

He noted that NABU participated from the very beginning in preparing the plan with former Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, proposing additional measures to increase institutional capacity. However, Kryvonos added that some formulations remain vague, particularly regarding the creation of an independent institution for expertise in criminal proceedings.

Semen Kryvonos

At the same time, he noted progress in granting NABU the right to independent wiretapping without the participation of the Security Service of Ukraine. This will allow the agency to technically access telephone conversations within the framework of pretrial investigations, which, he said, will significantly increase the institution’s independence and capacity if authorities implement all planned measures.

Oleksandr Klymenko

Oleksandr Klymenko, Head of SAPO, added that the roadmap outlines several key steps to strengthen SAPO’s autonomy, including the right to submit international extradition requests and establish international investigative teams without prior approval from the Office of the Prosecutor General. However, he noted that certain key powers are missing from the plan due to resistance from specific groups in the Ukrainian parliament, particularly the right of the SAPO Head to initiate pretrial investigations against members of parliament (MPs).

Klymenko emphasized that, due to the absence of these powers, serious problems with international cooperation arose earlier, when extradition requests and documents were simply left unconsidered. He believes that implementing the planned measures will significantly increase the effectiveness of anti-corruption activities in Ukraine.

Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, is convinced that the most challenging reforms on Ukraine’s path to the EU will be in the spheres of democratic institutions, the judiciary, and the fight against corruption.