2025年7月22日，烏克蘭爆發自2022年俄烏衝突以來最大規模的全國性反政府抗議活動，導火線為總統弗拉基米爾·澤連斯基（Volodymyr Zelenskyy）所簽署的一項爭議性法案。這項法案被廣泛認為削弱國家反腐機構的獨立性，引發各界對政府誠信與法治走向的強烈質疑，進而激起首都基輔及全國多地的民眾集體走上街頭示威。

這項新法案賦予總統直接任命的總檢察長更大的權力，包含對國家反貪局（NABU）的指揮權、調查案件的介入權，甚至有權中止或移交正在進行的反腐調查。這不僅被烏克蘭民間社會批評為「公然干預司法獨立」的行為，也被反對者視為政府有意削弱自2015年以來建立的反腐體系，使烏克蘭在長期反貪改革所取得的成果面臨崩潰的風險。

7月22日晚間，數千名抗議者聚集在基輔總統府外，高喊「可恥」「撤回法案」等口號。現場不僅有市民與社會運動人士，更出現前線士兵與退伍軍人的身影。這些抗議者表示，國家正在進行與俄羅斯的艱苦戰爭，人民承擔著巨大的痛苦與犧牲，而政府卻在此時削弱反腐體制，背離與西方結盟與加入歐盟的承諾，這是對人民的背叛。

抗議浪潮很快蔓延至全國，包括利沃夫、第聶伯羅、敖德薩、哈爾科夫、文尼察等多個城市。截至7月23日，已有至少17個城市出現抗議活動，甚至在前線戰區也有軍人發表聲明表示支持示威。此舉象徵軍隊與民間的部分力量出現對政府政策的公開不滿，情勢發展令人擔憂。

國際社會對此也迅速作出反應。歐盟、七大工業國（G7）以及美國紛紛發表聲明表達「嚴重關切」。歐盟官員明言，保障反腐機構的獨立性是烏克蘭入盟談判的核心條件之一，若失去這一關鍵基石，烏克蘭的歐盟夢將陷入停滯。此外，美國與歐洲媒體指出，若澤連斯基政府堅持該法案，可能導致西方對烏援助的立場出現動搖，特別是在軍援與財政支持方面。

對於外界的批評與國內壓力，澤連斯基於7月23日發表回應，辯稱此法案是為「清除俄羅斯在烏克蘭國家機構中的潛在滲透」，並強調將推動所謂的「正義計畫」。然而，他未表明是否會撤回或修改該法案。這一態度使得許多抗議者認為政府依然缺乏誠意與透明度，抗議聲浪不降反升。

事實上，澤連斯基在國內的支持率已因腐敗指控、軍事動員政策爭議及經濟困境而出現顯著下滑。根據近期民調，越來越多的民眾對政府的不信任感正在累積，尤其是對於政府高層的財產來源與軍事決策過程的質疑聲不斷擴大。

這次全國性抗議是對澤連斯基執政以來最大的一次民間反彈，也揭示在戰爭陰影之下，烏克蘭社會對於民主制度、法治精神與政治清廉的強烈渴望。面對來自國內外的壓力，澤連斯基政府如何處理這場危機，將直接關係到烏克蘭的未來走向與國際信任基礎。抗議仍在持續，情勢也在進一步升溫。

On July 22, 2025, Ukraine witnessed its largest nationwide anti-government protest since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. The trigger was a controversial bill signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which was widely perceived as undermining the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions. The legislation sparked widespread concern over the government’s commitment to integrity and the rule of law, prompting mass demonstrations in the capital Kyiv and across the country.

The new bill grants expanded powers to the Prosecutor General—who is directly appointed by the president—including authority over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). This includes directing investigations, transferring cases, and even halting ongoing probes. Civil society groups have condemned the law as blatant interference in judicial independence. Critics argue that it threatens to dismantle the anti-corruption framework painstakingly built since 2015 and risks undoing the progress Ukraine has made in its reform efforts.

On the night of July 22, thousands of protesters gathered outside the presidential office in Kyiv, chanting slogans such as “Shame” and “Withdraw the Bill.” Among the demonstrators were not only citizens and civic activists but also frontline soldiers and veterans. Protesters voiced their outrage that, while the nation is locked in a brutal war with Russia and citizens are enduring immense sacrifice, the government is choosing to weaken its anti-corruption systems—an act they view as a betrayal of Ukraine’s pro-Western path and EU aspirations.

The protest wave quickly spread to cities across the country, including Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Vinnytsia. By July 23, demonstrations had erupted in at least 17 cities. Even in active war zones, some military personnel released statements in support of the protests, signaling growing dissatisfaction with government policy among both civilians and members of the armed forces—an alarming development for the Zelenskyy administration.

The international community reacted swiftly. The European Union, G7 nations, and the United States all issued statements expressing “serious concern.” EU officials underscored that maintaining the independence of anti-corruption bodies is a core condition for Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations. Without it, they warned, Ukraine’s integration into the EU could stall. Additionally, Western media and analysts noted that if Zelenskyy’s government pushes forward with the bill, it could erode Western support—particularly in terms of military and financial aid.

In response to the mounting criticism, President Zelenskyy addressed the public on July 23, defending the bill as a necessary step to “remove potential Russian infiltration” within Ukrainian state institutions. He also promised to implement a so-called “justice plan.” However, he did not indicate any intention to withdraw or amend the legislation. This stance was seen by many protesters as lacking sincerity and transparency, further fueling public outrage.

In fact, Zelenskyy’s domestic approval ratings have already been declining due to ongoing corruption allegations, controversial military mobilization policies, and worsening economic challenges. Recent polls indicate growing public distrust in the government, with increasing scrutiny of the wealth and decision-making processes of top officials.

This nationwide protest movement represents the most significant civilian backlash during Zelenskyy’s presidency and underscores the Ukrainian public’s deep yearning for democratic governance, rule of law, and political accountability—even in times of war. How Zelenskyy handles this crisis will have profound implications for Ukraine’s future direction and its credibility on the international stage. The protests continue to escalate, and the political climate remains increasingly volatile.