Interview / Zelenskyy Wants Political Control over Institutions

This interview (in German) by Francesco Collini was first published in Der Spiegel.

With a new law, the Ukrainian president is curbing the autonomy of two key anti-corruption bodies. Political scientist Mattia Nelles explains why this move could jeopardize Kyiv’s relationship with the EU.

SPIEGEL: Mr. Nelles, on Tuesday evening, thousands of people took to the streets in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities to protest against a new law that strips two important anti-corruption bodies of their independence. What is the atmosphere in the country?

Nelles: Tensions are high. These were the largest protests since the start of the war. With this legislative initiative—passed and signed at lightning speed—President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hit a raw nerve. Large parts of the population see Ukraine’s pro-European path and EU accession prospects under threat. This is not just about the two institutions, NABU and SAPO—most people may not even know exactly what they do—but about the principle that no one is above the law. That principle was the core achievement of the Revolution of Dignity, and this law undermines it.

About the Interviewee

Mattia Nelles (b. 1989) is a political scientist and Ukraine expert. He heads the consulting and policy group German-Ukrainian Bureau (DUB).

SPIEGEL: You're referring to the Maidan Revolution?

Nelles: Yes. Activists and experts who have worked against corruption since then are shocked. Yesterday, the mood in expert circles was borderline hysterical. People are worried about their future. Some activists tell me they fear being arrested soon. That hasn’t happened yet, but the fear is there—that Ukraine could follow the path of Georgia.

SPIEGEL: What exactly do you mean by that?

Nelles: A turn away from Europe that leads to declining support from the EU and, step by step, the rise of autocratic structures.

SPIEGEL: Why has Zelenskyy targeted these two institutions—NABU and SAPO?

Nelles: This is not entirely new. Even Zelenskyy’s predecessor Petro Poroshenko viewed these institutions as a thorn in his side. But Zelenskyy has gone a step further with this new law, placing both bodies under the control of the Prosecutor General—someone he nominated.

SPIEGEL: Zelenskyy is facing international criticism, especially from Europe. Why might this move still make sense from his perspective?

Nelles: Zelenskyy wants to bring Ukrainian institutions under political control. He wants to install loyalists across the system to directly control all key posts. Incidentally, we’ve seen similar dynamics in Western democracies too—take the United States, for example.

SPIEGEL: What does this new law mean for the rule of law in Ukraine?

Nelles: It’s a huge setback on Ukraine’s path to the EU. That’s how it is viewed in Europe, by the OECD, and by many experts. It signals a retreat from Ukraine’s goal of fast-track EU accession.

SPIEGEL: How has Zelenskyy responded so far to the criticism from home and abroad?

Nelles: He seems genuinely surprised by the intensity of the reaction—from both Ukrainian society and international partners. People in Ukraine now feel that everything is at stake.

SPIEGEL: Western countries have repeatedly tied their support to Ukraine’s progress on anti-corruption. Why is Zelenskyy taking such a risk?

Nelles: He probably felt confident. Those who used to push him toward reform have lost influence. Since Donald Trump’s aggressive approach toward Zelenskyy, the EU has focused more on military assistance and less on political reform. That’s understandable, but it also allowed political backsliding to go unchecked in Brussels. Experts, both in and outside Ukraine, have been warning about this for months—but few wanted to listen. This law is just the tip of the iceberg. There are other concerning developments, such as legislative proposals that restrict freedom of expression and the targeting of anti-corruption activists like Vitaliy Shabunin.

SPIEGEL: What are the immediate consequences of this law?

Nelles: NABU and SAPO were investigating people within Zelenskyy’s inner political circle—including ministers. This law protects them.

SPIEGEL: Could the domestic protests pose a threat to Zelenskyy?

Nelles: Zelenskyy is still firmly in control and enjoys broad support in Ukraine. But the protests could become a serious issue if he continues to respond clumsily and stubbornly to the criticism. In his address yesterday, he barely mentioned the attack on NABU and SAPO. He didn’t acknowledge the widespread demand—from both the public and experts—to fully repeal the law. If he refuses to backtrack, I expect the protests to grow. The longer they last, the deeper the conflict becomes, and the greater the consequences for Ukraine. It weakens Zelenskyy, divides society, and threatens to erode Ukraine’s resilience during wartime.

SPIEGEL: What does this law mean for Western support?

Nelles: The EU has made clear that Ukraine’s accession and financial support depend on progress in fighting corruption. Any rollback puts those funds—and the broader relationship—at risk. Ukraine cannot afford that. The EU now has a key role: to make absolutely clear that such actions have consequences.