Ukrainian President Zelensky has promised to restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies after criticism.

Yesterday, the Ukrainian parliament approved and President Zelensky signed a law according to which the anti-corruption agency NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) will be subordinate to the Prosecutor General, who will be appointed by the head of state.

The move sparked protests in the streets of Kiev and other major Ukrainian cities, as well as criticism from the European Commission and representatives of EU member states. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also demanded an explanation from the country's president.

In an evening speech, Zelensky announced that he would submit to parliament a new law that would meet"all standards for the independence of anti-corruption institutions."

The Ukrainian president admitted that he is aware of the response of his steps to the people, both on social networks and on the streets."We have analyzed all the concerns, all the aspects that need to be changed," the Ukrainian president said.

The president also stressed that"there will be no Russian influence" in anti-corruption institutions, justifying previous changes, pushed through with the help of the president's party's majority in the Ukrainian parliament. The president's camp claimed that Russian agents were operating inside NABU.

The European Union subsequently reminded Kiev that the independence of anti-corruption institutions is one of the main conditions for Ukraine's accession to the EU. (ČTK)