This is the view expressed by Jan Truszczyński, former Poland's Ambassador to the European Union (1996–2001), on Espreso TV“When it comes to evaluating corruption, Ukraine must do everything possible to demonstrate that progress is underway in the fight against corruption. This includes confiscating assets from proven corrupt officials. Ukraine has a strategy and knows what needs to be done. But there is still a lot of work ahead,” Truszczyński said.He noted that Europe recognizes the steps Ukraine has already taken in its anti-corruption efforts, but much remains to be done.“Ukraine’s discussions with the European Commission focus largely on corruption issues. Yes, there is acknowledgment of what Ukraine has achieved so far. But it’s also clear that much more needs to be done and that these efforts must continue into the future. It is important to show steady progress, step by step, with no backtracking. What happened a week ago was a clear step backward. It was like a cold shower and a surprise—‘What are they actually doing there?’ Appropriate talks followed, urging Ukraine to wake up and get back on track,” the former Polish ambassador added.BackgroundOn July 22, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed into law a bill previously passed by Parliament that curtails the powers of NABU and SAPO, effectively placing them under the authority of the Prosecutor General. The legislative process was marked by confusion: the presidential signature appeared, disappeared, and then reappeared on the official record of the bill, No. 12414.Following the vote, thousands of Ukrainians staged peaceful demonstrations in major cities, demanding that Zelenskyy veto the law, which they say seriously undermines Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure.The European Union also raised alarm. EU spokesperson Guillaume Mercier called the law a setback, stressing that NABU and SAPO are vital to anti-corruption reforms and must operate independently to maintain public trust and move Ukraine closer to EU membership.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen personally urged Zelenskyy to provide explanations, stating that compromising on the rule of law is unacceptable, especially given Ukraine’s EU candidacy. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called the move a “serious step backward” and warned it could harm Ukraine’s accession prospects. French and German officials also voiced concern, urging Kyiv to revise the law and preserve institutional independence.On July 24, Ukrainian lawmakers registered a new bill aimed at restoring the autonomy of NABU and SAPO. That same day, President Zelenskyy approved the text of a separate draft law, which he submitted to Parliament, pledging to reinforce law enforcement and guarantee the agencies’ independence. Both NABU and SAPO confirmed they had participated in crafting the bill, which restores their procedural powers and legal protections.On Thursday, July 31, the Verkhovna Rada voted in favor of bill No. 13533, initiated by President Zelenskyy, which strengthens the powers of NABU and SAPO.