Bangladesh, July 23 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ignited a fresh political firestorm by signing a controversial law that significantly curtails the independence of Ukraines leading anti-corruption bodies. Framed by Zelensky as a necessary step in the fight against “Russian influence,” the reform has drawn sharp criticism from domestic opposition figures, civil society leaders, and Western observers who see the move as a step backward in Ukraines fragile fight against systemic graft.

On July 22, Zelensky signed legislation granting the Prosecutor Generals Office new oversight powers over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO). Both in...