The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has hosted the next stage of synchronising efforts for the implementation of flagship projects under the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine, aimed at improving the defence procurement system and building integrity within the security and defence sector. The meeting was attended by representatives from NATO Headquarters, the NATO Representation to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the Supervisory Board of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine's state enterprise "Defence Procurement Agency", and others.
At the start of the meeting, NACP Head Viktor Pavlushchyk set the framework for the work, noting that the joint definition of priorities for 2026 allows for the alignment of efforts and the formation of a unified approach to developing integrity in the security and defence sector.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the NATO side for their consistent support in implementing recommendations aimed at improving anti-corruption mechanisms, as well as to the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine for their constructive cooperation and readiness to develop joint solutions within the framework of NATO projects," noted the NACP Head.
Joakim Frendin, representative of NATO Headquarters and Head of the Building Integrity Team, emphasised that significant results of cooperation are already visible today, particularly within key NATO projects, while it remains vital to maintain a strategic vision for joint further steps to implement NATO recommendations in the field of building integrity.
In turn, Deputy Head of the NACP Serhii Hupiak emphasised that the NACP's priorities to be implemented jointly with the Ministry of Defence include, among others, the strengthening of the anti-corruption architecture in the security and defence sector.
At the same time, NATO Headquarters representative Pawel Bucek noted the tangible steps taken within the implementation process of the Strategic Review of the Defence Procurement System, specifically the introduction of tools for inter-agency interaction and coordination with international partners. He also underlined NATO's readiness to comprehensively assist and support Ukraine in achieving results, particularly in increasing transparency and accountability during defence procurement.
Serhii Stepanian, Head of the Department for the Prevention and Detection of Corruption of the Ministry of Defence, familiarised the meeting participants with the main areas of anti-corruption activity for 2026. Specifically, in the current year, the Ministry of Defence plans to become the first ministry in Ukraine to receive a certificate of compliance with the international standard ISO 37001 "Anti-bribery management systems - Requirements with guidance for use". Intentions were also highlighted regarding the creation of the International Expert Anti-Corruption Committee to ensure independent public and international oversight of the defence agency's activities in the field of corruption prevention, as well as to receive international advisory and consultative assistance in the implementation of anti-corruption measures.
Marta Ivashkiv, Head of the Directorate of Integrity Policy Making in the Security and Defence Sector, summarised the event by noting that previous experience of cooperation with the Ministry of Defence in the field of building integrity had proven effective, particularly during the joint work on the research of corruption risks in the procurement of UAVs and EW equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2025, which aligns with the recommendations of the Strategic Review.
