Zelenskyy Denies Contact With Von Der Leyen Over Controversial Anti-Corruption Agencies Bill
By Nicoletta Ionta
(EurActiv) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denied having any recent communication with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding a contentious draft law that would place two key anti-corruption agencies under government control, stripping them of their independence.
“I have not communicated with Ursula von der Leyen in recent days. Everything that was written about it, everything that she allegedly told me, is a fake. We did not have a conversation,” Zelenskyy told reporters on Thursday, according to Ukrainian media outlets Interfax-Ukraine and European Pravda.
This contradicts a statement made on Wednesday by a Commission spokesperson, who said von der Leyen had raised “strong concerns” directly with Zelenskyy and asked for explanations from the Ukrainian government.
The bill sparked widespread backlash, triggering two days of street protests in Kyiv and mounting pressure from EU leaders. In response, Zelenskyy made a swift U-turn, submitting a revised bill aimed at restoring and strengthening the independence of the agencies.
The Commission, when questioned by Euractiv, did not comment on Zelenskyy’s words but referred to a video from Thursday in which a spokesperson said that President von der Leyen and President Zelenskyy were “in contact” and that “they exchanged”.
“What matters here is the fact that the message was passed,” the spokesperson said on Thursday, without providing further details.
Like what you read?
Please consider supporting Eurasia Review. Thank you for your consideration!
