Young Ukrainians are making their way while Zelensky cancels the law to defuse the crisis

While the deputies of Ukraine gathered in Parliament in kyiv on Thursday, some held cardboard panels which said: “We are with our employees”.

It was a message to thousands of young demonstrators who had participated in the biggest anti-government demonstrations since the start of the large-scale invasion of Russia. They were again in force on Thursday.

The deputies then entered the Parliament, the rada, and participated in a vote which massively upset a law introduced by President Volodymyr Zelensky last week which reduced the independence of two main anti-corruption agencies known as Nabu and Sap-Corruption Bureau.

The panels transported by the deputies outside the rada were a nod to the signs transported by thousands of young people who had gone to the streets of the cities and cities of Ukraine for almost a week.

The demonstrators had demanded that Zelensky and his government “remove their hands” the two anti-corruption bodies and threatened to continue to continue until the government turns around.

In a few days, he did it.

The initial bill of Zelensky had stripped the two organizations of their independent authority to decide which to continue the cases of high level corruption, giving this prerogative to the Attorney General – a presidential man.

For demonstrators who are agitating signs, the safeguard of the independence of Nabu and SAP was as crucial for their European future as war against Russia was a matter of life and death for their country.

In 2022, Kyiv obtained the coveted status of the candidate country of the EU – but on condition, he set up a credible fight against corruption.

For Western partners in Ukraine – donors and investors who pay money in the country through international assistance and financing programs – the existence and independence of the two anti -corruption bodies are not negotiable.

And for Ukraine and its economy broken by war, this external financial aid is essential.

It was not until 10 days earlier that the deputies supported the controversial law of Zelensky, and yet they voted Thursday by 331 to 0 to overthrow it. On occasion, they seemed to follow the direction of Zelensky.

“Ukraine is a democracy-there is certainly no doubt,” he said on social networks.

Many Ukrainians see the hand of the right man of Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, behind the recent choices of the president.

Yermak’s position as head of the presidential office is not regulated by the Constitution or limited by checks or sales. And questions are asked about such a role in the democracy of Ukraine.

The safeguard that democracy and the course of Ukraine towards European integration were the main engines of young demonstrators, while their relatives and friends defended their country on the front line.

The deputies did their best to show that the problem was now resolved, but this crisis has left an unpleasant aftertaste.

This questioned Zelensky’s dedication to anti-corruption reforms.

The fact that he seemed ready to compromise on these reforms may have seriously distorted the confidence that the EU put in him.

Some have made the link between the government’s offer to reduce the independence of Nabu and SAP. Powerful characters in the Zelensky circle have been examined, some are faced with accusations or an investigation.

Zelensky’s decision also reached after the government rejected a candidate selected by an independent committee to lead the Economic Security Office – the main agency to investigate economic crimes in Ukraine.

The official reason why Oleksandr Tsyvinski did not obtain the position was that he had not obtained the security authorization for the security service, which is under the control of the president.

However, Tsyvinski is a renowned anti-corruption expert and the selection committee still wants it to be appointed.

All these elements have resulted in one of the biggest power crises for the Zelensky team since coming to power in 2019.

Three and a half years after the war on a large -scale scale, the risk of pursuing such criminals could have a significant cost.

Next year, Ukraine’s budget deficit could reach $ 13 billion (10 billion pounds sterling), according to a national bank estimate. Kyiv would not be able to continue to fight war if she lost the support of Western partners.

The EU has already reduced part of its financial aid to Ukraine because the government has not followed promised reforms.

Young Ukraine demonstrators seem to have understood this too well and were ready to challenge their government in a country they have chosen to stay despite the deadly threat of Russian drones and missile attacks.