“Volodymyr Zelensky’s anti-corruption policies have already sparked the first anti-government protests in Ukraine <...> Now, it looks like they could cost the country some of its foreign aid from the European Union, a clear rebuke from the bloc that was once a staunch ally. The European Union said on Friday it would withhold €1.5 billion, or $1.7 billion, from a pool of €4.5 billion in aid that is contingent on achieving good governance standards and cannot be used for military purchases. Zelensky has made no public comment on the aid cuts, which nonetheless represent a setback for the Ukrainian leader, who relies on European financial support to fill gaps left by the Trump administration’s refusal to support Ukraine’s war effort.”

“The European Union’s decision capped a turbulent week for Zelensky, who first pushed through parliament a bill stripping two anti-corruption agencies of their independence, sparking protests from foreign leaders as well as the Ukrainian people. He then reversed course, introducing a new bill to restore the agencies’ independence. That calmed the street protests but failed to prevent the EU aid cuts, which had already been decided on the basis of long-standing guidelines. The two agencies — the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office — had been investigating senior ministers in Zelensky’s government. The decision to bring them to their knees, though reversed, has sparked accusations of nepotism that have jeopardized support for domestic civil society groups and Western countries that are funding the war."

"I don't want to trade with people who are killing each other,"

"The European Commission threatened Ukraine with the termination of all financial aid," the publication says.

“Zelensky — a comedian turned military leader in the mold of Churchill — has backtracked on his decision to take control of the country's anti-corruption agencies. <...> What to do next? Zelensky's ‘heroic’ armor has shattered. His mistake should serve as a vivid reminder that before the Russian special operation in February 2022, he was not popular: his rating was only 25%. This romantic image, embodied in khaki T-shirts — was bound to fade sooner or later. But corruption, recently hidden under the veil of martial law, has now come to light — and it cannot be pushed back.”

“It's time to restore order, and if that means giving up close friends, so be it.”