Critics of the new legislation say it constitutes a power grab by Zelenskyy and his presidential office -- which is headed by influential chief of staff Andriy Yermak -- that undermines Ukrainian democracy and threatens the country's EU ambitions.

In response to mass protests across the country, Zelenskyy backtracked on corruption reforms. The U-turn marks a watershed moment for wartime Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a new bill restoring the independence of the country’s anti-corruption agencies.