President Volodymyr Zelensky will restore the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities. Following fierce criticism from both Ukrainians and his Western allies, the president announced that he would submit a new bill to parliament repealing the regulations passed this week. What conclusions can be drawn from this sudden reversal?
Damage already done
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Domestic and international pressure is forcing Zelensky to take steps to limit the damage, Czechia’s Hospodářské noviny notes:
Even if the new law is a good thing, the damage has already been done. It will be difficult to restore the trust of Ukraine’s citizens, soldiers and its Western partners. An independent investigation into corruption was, is and will remain one of the key conditions for Western states and institutions to continue talking to the Ukrainians, let alone providing financial support.”
Only human
Zelensky is losing his nimbus in the West, writes Ukrainian journalist Valery Pekar in a Facebook post republished by NV:
For the first time, the West has experienced Zelensky as we know him - not as a fantastic hero who embodies all the virtues and heroic deeds of the nation, but as a man of flesh and blood with personal strengths and weaknesses to whom it fell to lead the resistance of millions of heroes. In the Western consciousness, Ukraine is now beginning to decouple from Volodymyr Zelensky. For the West this is a culture shock. The consequences are unforeseeable at this point.
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Defending freedom from all attacks
The unequivocal reaction of the Ukrainian people has had an impact, Finland’s Helsingin Sanomat emphasizes:
Ukraine has traditionally had a strong civil society, one that has been able to change the country’s leadership, when necessary, either through popular uprisings or elections. ... The scope of the promises made by Zelensky on Wednesday is still unclear. Finland and other countries must now make it clear that this unfortunate law must be amended fundamentally and quickly. ... By taking to the streets, Ukrainians have once again shown that they are prepared to defend their freedom against all attacks, no matter where they come from.
No army in the world can defeat such people
The reaction of Ukrainian society highlights once again the fundamental difference between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian blogger and officer Yuri Kasyanov writes in a Facebook post republished by Ukraine’s gazeta.ua:
It’s not true that today’s protests in Ukraine work in Russia’s favor. On the contrary, a new Maidan would be a nightmare for Putin. It would show that after years of war he has still not achieved his main goal: to turn Ukraine into Russia. It also shows that the Ukrainians remain free people who determine their own destiny. And no army in the world can defeat such people
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