Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has approved the text of a draft law guaranteeing the freedom of two anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine - days after nationwide protests broke out over changes curbing their independence. Kyiv's Western partners had also expressed serious concerns over the legislation.

Thousands of people gathered in the capital and other cities across Ukraine on Tuesday evening to urge President Volodymyr Zelensky to veto the controversial bill.

Opponents of a new law they say strips Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdogs of their independence called for a third straight day of street protests across the country Thursday.