Ukraine and the United States strengthen cooperation in monitoring the use of military assistance

31 January, 2024 Javelin and NLAW in Ukraine. March 2022. Photo credits: AFU

Ukraine and the United States are stepping up cooperation in monitoring the use of international military aid. The press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported on this. Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umierov met with the Inspector General of the U.S.

Department of Defense General Robert Storch in Kyiv. During the meeting, the Minister informed the US about the ongoing institutional transformations at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. In particular, the introduction of an effective system of supervision, risk management, compliance, prevention of corruption in procurement, as well as the introduction of democratic control tools in the defense sector.

Meeting of delegations.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

"By the end of April, we will have one hundred percent confidence that all supervisory mechanisms will be implemented and the system will work," the minister said. Rustem Umierov also emphasized that strengthening control and transparency in the use of security assistance provided to Ukraine by partners is one of the priorities of the ministry. As part of the meeting, the Main Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S.

Department of Defense signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The purpose of the document is to strengthen cooperation in monitoring the use of international assistance. Among other things, the Memorandum provides for:

  • exchange of relevant information to detect, confirm, and prevent fraud or corruption affecting or relating to U.S. military assistance to Ukraine;
  • conducting joint activities to detect, confirm and prevent fraud and corruption;
  • establishing a mechanism for the mutual transmission of requests related to investigations and measures within the powers and jurisdiction of the parties;
  • holding periodic meetings to identify priority areas of cooperation to achieve common goals.
Meeting of delegations.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

The Memorandum was signed by the Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Admiral Ihor Voronchenko, and by the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense, Robert Storch, on behalf of the Ukrainian side. Militarnyi reported on January 20 that Ukraine and the United States conducted the first joint inspection of transferred U.S. weapons.

Officials of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with officials of the U.S.

Embassy's Defense Cooperation Section, took part in the inspection of weapons and property.

It was also reported that the European Union planned to audit the provided weapons.

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