Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is under fire at home and abroad after signing a controversial law that threatens the autonomy of anti-corruption bodies. The EU has responded by suspending $1.7 billion in aid.

The $1.7 billion reduction capped a tough week for President Volodymyr Zelensky as he deals with Ukraine’s governance issues.

Opponents of a new law in Ukraine, which they claim undermines anti-corruption watchdogs, have called for a third day of protests

Ukrainians are protesting after the passage of a controversial bill increasing oversight of two anti-corruption agencies. The move has the potential to impact the country's bid to join the E.U.

Protests against the draft bill limiting the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) have continued for the sixth day in a row near the Franko Theatre in the centre of Kyiv.

A law curbing the independence of anti-graft agencies triggered the first street protests of the war and rare rebukes from European allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday urged national unity as demonstrators took to the streets of more than a dozen cities nationwide.

"Ukraine has already achieved a lot on its European path. It must build on these solid foundations and preserve independent anti-corruption bodies, which are cornerstones of Ukraine's rule of law," von der Leyen said in a post on X after a call with Zelenskiy.