Ukrainian politics

Fedorov calls for wartime elections in sharpest challenge yet to Zelenskyy

Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov’s call on Aug. 18 for Ukraine to hold elections before the war ends represents “the most direct political challenge to Volodymyr Zelenskyy” since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, The Guardian reported.

19 August, 11:00 AM

From protest symbol to presidential contender: Can Fedorov capitalize on Zelenskyy’s mistake?

Weeks after his dismissal triggered days of protests, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov surged into third place in a presidential poll and was projected to defeat Volodymyr Zelenskyy 63.8% to 36.2% in a hypothetical runoff — raising the question of whether public anger can propel him into a lasting political career.

13 August, 12:54 PM

Zelenskyy aide denies plans to replace Ukraine’s foreign minister

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not plan to dismiss Andrii Sybiha as Ukraine’s foreign minister, presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said, dismissing recent media speculation.

21 December 2025, 03:15 PM

Ukrainian MP Skorokhod accuses NABU of faking photos in $250K bribery probe

Ukrainian lawmaker Anna Skorokhod accused the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine of publishing “fabricated” photos after a Dec. 5 search of her apartment as part of a case in which she is suspected of soliciting a $250,000 bribe, she said on Facebook on Dec. 5.

6 December 2025, 02:30 PM

The Mindich effect: How the Midas case and Telegram attacks rattled Zelenskyy’s party

NV examined how President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, lawmakers from his Servant of the People party, and a network of bloggers and Telegram channels have reacted to the Midas case — Ukraine’s most explosive corruption scandal in years — and whether coordinated attacks on NABU are part of a broader political cover-up.

13 November 2025, 06:58 PM

Bankova’s wartime vertical gets a cardboard Maidan reality check

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine fought a total war and kept the state running. Martial law centralized power and paused national elections. Even so, courts, parliament, independent media and anti-corruption bodies kept working under fire.

5 October 2025, 07:55 PM

Ex-minister Chernyshov responds after court refuses to ease pretrial restrictions

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksii Chernyshov has responded to the High Anti-Corruption Court’s decision to extend his procedural obligations for another two months, effectively rejecting his request to ease pretrial restrictions.

26 August 2025, 01:20 PM

‘No compromise possible’: Von der Leyen sets firm conditions on Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms in call with Zelenskyy

In the lead-up to a critical parliamentary vote, the European Commission has underscored that restoring the powers of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies NABU and SAPO is essential for the integrity of the country’s anti-corruption framework. The warning came in a statement from a European Commission spokesperson, reported by European Pravda on July 29.

29 July 2025, 11:57 PM

EU warns Ukraine it may cut funding if Parliament fails to restore NABU and SAPO independence — media

The European Union warned Ukraine it may suspend financial assistance if Parliament fails to repeal laws curbing NABU and SAPO independence, European Pravda reported on July 29, citing sources within EU institutions.

29 July 2025, 01:18 PM

MP who voted for anti-graft bill shows up at protest against it — crowd chants ‘Shame!’

Ukrainian lawmaker Maryana Bezuhla, who voted in favor of the controversial Bill No. 12414 curbing the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), on July 25 made a surprise appearance at a protest against the very bill she supported. Protesters greeted her with chants of “Shame!” and “Bezuhla out!”

25 July 2025, 07:29 PM

48 Ukrainian lawmakers submit new bill to restore NABU and SAPO independence

Forty-eight members of Parliament from various factions registered a bill to restore the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), lawmaker Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of Parliament’s committee on freedom of speech, announced in a Facebook post on July 23.

24 July 2025, 01:26 PM

Ukrainian lawmaker seeks to overturn controversial law curbing NABU and SAPO independence

The only way to reverse the effects of law No. 12414 targeting Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies is through the Constitutional Court, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, an MP from the Holos party, said on July 22.

23 July 2025, 10:43 AM

Svyrydenko says corruption fears in Ukraine are 'exaggerated'

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko dismissed concerns about corruption in Ukraine as “exaggerated” in an interview with Bloomberg published on July 22.

22 July 2025, 04:59 PM

Zelenskyy’s new move gives Umerov more power than ever

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed Rustem Umerov as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), a move that, despite initial assumptions of a demotion, may have significantly expanded his powers.

22 July 2025, 09:48 AM

Anti-Corruption Court rules Chernyshov will remain deputy PM and minister of national unity

Oleksii Chernyshov will remain in office as Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and minister of national unity. The High Anti-Corruption Court declined to suspend him from his post, Suspilne reported from the courtroom on July 2.

2 July 2025, 03:32 PM

Zelenskyy’s post-war political future: What do Ukrainians think?

Ukrainians' views on whether President Zelenskyy should remain in politics after the war with Russia, according to a Socis poll for February 2025, available to NV on Feb. 26.

26 February 2025, 06:36 PM

Shmyhal's low profile helps him remain Ukraine's PM despite frequent shake-ups

With the help of members of the president's team, former ministers, MPs, and experts, NV has identified four key qualities of Denys Shmyhal that have enabled him to lead the government for over four years.

3 October 2024, 05:06 PM

Ukrainian politics