The goal of those who wanted to deprive NABU of its independence is to close cases against government representatives and pressure the opposition to build authoritarianism. However, society and European partners did not allow this to happen. And we must be clearly aware of this. People’s Deputy of Ukraine Mykola Knyazhytsky noted this on Suspilny’s air, commenting on legislative initiatives to restore the independence of anti-corruption bodies.
He explained that two bills have been registered in the Verkhovna Rada, with the support of 48 deputies and the President. However, according to Knyazhytsky, the presidential bill does not guarantee protection from Russian influence.
“Russian influence is all just an excuse to talk about something. A paragraph in the document states that NABU employees must pass a polygraph. It is unclear, but what are the consequences if an employee of this check fails the detector? That’s the fight against Russian influences,” Knyazhytskyi noted. He also emphasized that people are protesting to preserve democracy in Ukraine. However, the authorities are reacting only because of the increased attention of international partners. The Europeans may not give us funds. And the prospect of a lack of funds is already making an impression, scaring the authorities.
“The fact that our youth took to the streets is fantastic,” comments Mykola Knyazhytskyi. “But it is making an impression on European officials, not our authorities. We depend on European support, on the International Monetary Fund. And if they don’t give us funds for our existence, social payments, pensions, people will ask the authorities: why is there no money? That’s what really scares them the most. Such a chain of events is at work here.”
The deputy emphasizes that we should be an example of democracy and openness, not copy authoritarian practices. To demonstrate to the world that we are different from Russia. If we want to build a “second Russia”, this will be the path to defeat.