European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen urged the Ukrainian president to preserve the independence of anti-corruption organizations, after a row last week over Kyiv's move to curb their powers.

Editorial: Stripping anti-corruption agencies of their independence was a terrible – and unpopular – move. There are broader lessons for the president in this crisis

The wartime leader's approval earlier this week of a controversial law that weakened the agencies' autonomy had sparked public outcry and sharp criticism from the EU.