Viktor Pavlushchyk, Head of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), held a meeting with representatives of an independent Sweden-led expert group commissioned by the European Union (EU) to provide advice on defence sector reform and governance improvements in Ukraine.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the NACP's role in preventing corruption and building integrity in the security and defence sector, priority areas of anti-corruption policy, and opportunities to strengthen EU support for Ukraine in implementing the relevant reforms.
Particular attention was paid to the draft Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2026–2030, which includes a dedicated section addressing challenges in the defence sector. The relevant provisions were developed based on the findings of a comprehensive study. The draft Anti-Corruption Strategy is currently awaiting its first reading in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
“It is important for Ukraine that international support for anti-corruption reforms in the security and defence sector addresses specific needs and delivers practical results. We have clearly defined priorities — from improving corruption risk management procedures to introducing integrity standards in personnel policy and defence procurement. Coordination with the European Union, NATO and other partners allows us to align these efforts and avoid duplication of work,” said NACP Head Viktor Pavlushchyk.
An important focus of the meeting was the NACP's role in implementing international integrity standards in the security and defence sector. In particular, the National Agency actively participates in the implementation of two flagship NATO initiatives under the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine: the NATO Initial Interoperability Requirements for Ukraine and the Strategic Review of Ukraine's Defence Procurement System.
The NACP coordinates the implementation of these recommendations and works together with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the NATO Representation to Ukraine and other partners to identify specific measures and indicators for their implementation.
During discussions on international cooperation, the NACP emphasised the importance of aligning Ukraine's commitments to NATO with its European integration objectives.
“This approach makes it possible to ensure the necessary alignment of approaches and unite the efforts of both Ukrainian stakeholders and international partners to fulfil international commitments within the framework of European and Euro-Atlantic integration,” said Marta Ivashkiv, Head of the Directorate of Integrity Policy Making in the Security and Defence Sector.
To coordinate the work of security and defence sector institutions, share best practices and align approaches to implementing international standards, the NACP has also established a dedicated working group, BI Defence Community. It brings together anti-corruption officers from Ukraine's security and defence sector institutions and international partners, including NATO, the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the Centre for Integrity in the Defence Sector (CIDS) at the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, and the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine (EUACI).
The NACP reaffirmed its readiness to continue cooperating with international partners to strengthen the institutional capacity of the security and defence sector, implement international integrity standards and ensure effective corruption risk management.
For their part, representatives of the expert group expressed their appreciation for the productive work and reaffirmed their commitment to continued close cooperation in fulfilling international commitments aimed at building integrity in the security and defence sector.
