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OECD Warns Ukraine: Anti-Corruption Rollback Could Undermine Defense Investments and Reconstruction Funding
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![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned Kyiv that the recent move to undermine Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions could negatively impact defense investments and funding for the country’s reconstruction efforts.
This warning came in a letter addressed to Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the President’s Office, which was obtained by European Pravda on July 23.
The letter expresses concern from Julia Fromholz, head of the OECD Anti-Corruption Division, regarding the recent passage of bill No. 12414, which, according to Fromholz, significantly undermines the independence of Ukraine’s specialized anti-corruption agencies, namely the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP).
She warned that this legislative change could be seen as a weakening of Ukraine’s commitment to its obligations, potentially harming the country’s aspirations to join the OECD.
Fromholz urged the Ukrainian government to veto the bill, calling on President Zelenskyy to consider the issue with utmost seriousness. She also warned of the consequences if Ukraine fails to address the issue.
“If this issue remains unresolved, it will not only jeopardize Ukraine’s prospects of joining the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, but also its efforts to accede to the OECD itself,” Fromholz stated.
“It will also undermine Ukraine’s reputation among international partners, especially those considering investment in Ukraine’s defense sector and long-term reconstruction,” she continued.
In her letter, Fromholz emphasized that, without proper action, Ukraine risks damaging its standing and its future prospects for investment, both in its defense industry and in the broader reconstruction efforts following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The European Commission had already expressed concern about the situation surrounding the NABU and SAP before the vote in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament). They stressed that these institutions are critical for Ukraine’s reform program and must operate independently to combat corruption and maintain public trust.
The approval of the law raised concerns from EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi. However, newly appointed Vice Prime Minister for European Integration, Taras Kachka, assured Várhelyi that the Ukrainian government remains committed to its anti-corruption obligations.
After signing law No. 12414, President Zelenskyy emphasized that while the anti-corruption infrastructure will continue to function, it will operate free from any Russian influence.
Earlier, The European Union had reportedly expressed concern over Ukraine’s recent actions regarding its anti-corruption institutions, NABU and SAP, as stated by European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercy.
