KYIV: Ukrainian lawmakers on Thursday are expected to consider a bill restoring the independence of the country’s two main anti-corruption agencies, aiming to defuse a political crisis that has shaken faith in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wartime leadership. Thousands of protesters rallied in Kyiv and other cities in recent days in a rare show of discontent after lawmakers led by Zelensky’s ruling party rushed through amendments last week defanging the respected agencies.

The Ukrainian president’s move to strip the autonomy of anticorruption watchdogs prompts protests, forcing U-turn.

Move follows protests in Ukrainian cities over bill passed last week that curtailed independence of two bodies