Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has finalized a new set of regulations on the work of the anti-corruption authorities in the wake of protests against controversial new legislation passed by the parliament in Kiev.

On Thursday, Zelensky backtracked, saying the new bill was intended to safeguard the independence of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (Sap), and to protect them from Russian influence.

Ukrainian activists are calling for more protests of a law they say weakens the country’s anti-corruption bodies.