Zelensky Blocks Independent Forensic Expertise Crucial for EU and IMF Financial Aid

Yaroslav Zheleznyak Highlights Opposition to Anti-Corruption Reforms

According to 5 канал: Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zheleznyak revealed that President Volodymyr Zelensky is resisting a bill aimed at establishing independent forensic expertise, as well as opposing three legislative proposals connected to reforms of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies. According to Zheleznyak, government control over forensic institutions hampers anti-corruption investigations and stands as a barrier to securing financial support from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

Forensic expertise plays a vital role in criminal cases by determining damage amounts, identifying voices on audio recordings, and verifying evidence. Currently, this system is supervised by the Ministry of Justice, raising concerns about impartiality. Zheleznyak pointed out that a ready-to-implement bill supporting independent forensic expertise enjoys backing from international partners, yet President Zelensky remains firmly opposed to it.

Resistance to Key Legislative Reforms

Zheleznyak also identified three legislative initiatives that the president reportedly rejects:

• Establishment of an independent forensic expertise system;
• Overhaul of the State Bureau of Investigations;
• Conducting an open competition for the Prosecutor General position.

He emphasized that control over forensic institutions is a major tool for influencing anti-corruption bodies.

“The government now has very few levers to influence anti-corruption investigations, and forensic expertise is one of the main ones. It allows early access to information about whom the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is targeting and enables the sabotage of any case or suspicion,” MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak explained.

Moreover, Zheleznyak noted that this control allows suspects to learn in advance about NABU detectives' investigative directions, undermining the effectiveness of inquiries. The introduction of independent forensic expertise is among the essential conditions set by the EU and IMF for providing Ukraine with financial aid.

The President's Office has not commented on Zheleznyak's statements. However, reports indicate that Zelensky signed bill No. 12414, which, according to Zheleznyak, effectively eliminates the independence of NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP). Another MP, Oleksiy Honcharenko, confirmed that his sources also verify the president's signing of this legislation.

This ongoing tension surrounding the reform of Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies highlights serious concerns about preserving the independence of forensic expertise. The president’s stance raises alarm among lawmakers and international allies who view institutional independence as critical to transparency and the success of anti-corruption investigations. The lack of response from the President's Office only deepens uncertainty and heightens the stakes for the future of Ukraine’s anti-corruption policies.

For the international audience, Ukraine’s commitment to reforming its judicial and investigative institutions remains a key factor in maintaining global financial and political support amid ongoing challenges in governance and corruption.

In light of the ongoing resistance to critical reforms, the EU Commission's recent recommendations for enhanced asset declarations and strengthened anti-corruption bodies highlight the urgent need for Ukraine to adopt measures that align with international standards. These steps are essential not only for improving governance but also for securing necessary financial aid from the EU and IMF.