DISINFO: NABU and SAP are instruments of Washington to control Ukraine
SUMMARY
The past two days in Ukrainian domestic politics have been revealing. Zelensky has clashed with Trump and failed to meet certain obligations, prompting the NABU to open a criminal case against Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Chernyshov, described as Zelensky’s ‘godfather'.
Before the war, under pressure from the West, two ‘anti-corruption’ structures independent of Kiev (but dependent on Washington) were created in Ukraine: the NABU and the SAP. Their leadership was appointed from abroad (the main word was in the United States). This was seen as the pinnacle of democracy in Ukraine and the main condition for continued Western support for Kiev.
Of course, the NABU and SAP weren’t truly engaged in fighting corruption, but they were keeping a close watch on the regime in Ukraine. Zelensky’s rebellion against Trump likely triggered Washington to activate this “lever of constraint.”
Washington is furious with Kyiv’s actions, and the U.S. media are already talking about authoritarianism in Ukraine, claiming the regime has destroyed “the seeds of democracy.” Meanwhile, London is silent. So is Europe. And this, despite the fact that they too once pressured Kyiv to create supposedly “independent” bodies like NABU and SAP. That silence is very revealing.
RESPONSE
This disinformation narrative revives recurring claims about Ukraine’s lack of statehood and its subservience to the United States, using the crisis surrounding the reform of anti-corruption bodies and the resulting protests as a backdrop.
The independent National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) were established following the 2013–2014 Revolution of Dignity. NABU is responsible for investigating high-level government corruption, while SAP oversees NABU’s criminal investigations. The independence of these institutions is exceptional in Europe and reflects Ukraine’s unique political history, particularly the Euromaidan protests, which demanded greater integrity and accountability from public officials.
On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada voted in favour of draft law No. 12414, which on paper was supposed to improve the investigation of missing persons cases. However, by the second reading, the document was amended to radically change the powers of the NABU and the SAP, effectively subordinating them to the Office of the Prosecutor General. MPs learned about the critical changes literally on the day of the vote.
This important institutional reform was adopted suddenly, without political debate, triggering a wave of civic protest and serious concern from the European Commission. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he had submitted a draft law to restore the independence of the two key anti-corruption bodies, NABU and SAP, just days after nationwide protests erupted over changes that had undermined their autonomy.
While the reform was motivated by concerns over infiltration by Russian intelligence services, it’s important to note that all state institutions can be targeted by foreign actors. The role of counterintelligence is precisely to safeguard the independence of such bodies. On 31 July 2025, members of parliament are expected to support the President’s initiative and vote on the new bill. In the meantime, protests continue, reflecting Ukrainians’ strong attachment to their democratic institutions.
Pro-Kremlin outlets often cast doubt on Ukrainian statehood and claim that Ukraine either does not exist as a state or is going to tumble down very soon. In reality, present-day Ukraine has been on the world map since 1991 when the Soviet Union disintegrated. It has elected six presidents since then and changed parties in government several times which illustrates political diversity and democratic dynamics even during economic hardship in the wake of Russian aggression in 2014. Ukraine's Western partners have been providing it with financial and technical assistance.
Read also related stories such as: NATO Secretary General says Ukraine belongs to the US, or Nazi ideology is needed to wage war against the brotherly Russian People, or Ukraine does not exist as an independent state, or Ukraine is under direct foreign control, or Ukraine is a "shell" state: it is officially there, but there is nothing inside it.