This parallels another claim regarding an interview between RT and Ukrainian MP Artem Dmytruk. It should be noted that Dmytruk made these statements around July 22, prior to the restoration of anti-corruption agencies and subsequent government arrests related to corruption.
The New York Times reported that the EU froze funding to Ukraine after Zelensky gutted the independence of two major anti-corruption agencies: NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office. Zelensky justified this by claiming the agencies needed to be "cleared of Russian influence" and wanted the general prosecutor to decide major corruption prosecutions, the BBC reported.
Foreign leaders and Ukrainians protested this move. Faced with backlash, Zelensky reversed course nine days later, restoring the agencies' independence. However, the EU had already suspended aid.
These agencies had been investigating Zelensky's administration, including former deputy prime minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, who faced corruption charges on June 23 for allegedly pocketing real estate kickbacks. State officials conducted numerous searches of the anti-corruption agencies—NABU reported at least 70 searches by Ukrainian law enforcement in connection with 15 employees, conducted without court approval.
While raids occurred on anti-corruption agencies investigating Zelensky's officials, there isn't sufficient evidence of systematic suppression, especially given recent arrests and the administration's renewed anti-corruption stance. CNN reported Zelensky wrote there can be "zero tolerance" for corruption and thanked the agencies for their work.
