Expert Discussion on Security Measures in Ukraine
With the participation of Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Klymenko and the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship, Ambassador Petr Maresh, an expert discussion took place on the topic of «Joint Actions Against Illegal Trafficking of Weapons, Ammunition, and Explosive Materials in Ukraine», organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in partnership with the OSCE.
The event was attended by Deputy Heads of the Ministry, representatives from the National Police, the Office of the Prosecutor General, SBU, and other state agencies, as well as international partners, MPs, and specialists involved in arms control. The moderator was the Director of the Department for Interaction with the National Police, Mykola Hryntzov.
The Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized that controlling the circulation of weapons during wartime is a critical security issue for both Ukraine and Europe as a whole.
«The extensive front and intense combat operations create a high risk of weapons and ammunition falling into criminal environments. We are working on preventing these processes and implementing security measures to enhance citizen safety», — highlighted Igor Klymenko.
The Ministry continues to improve its systems for monitoring arms circulation, aligning them with international standards. One significant step was the implementation of a Unified Register of Weapons, which has strengthened control over firearms in Ukraine and made the registration process more accessible.
«Since June 2023, the Unified Register of Weapons has been operational, simplifying the registration procedure for citizens while simultaneously enhancing control. We are actively digitizing services in the arms circulation sector», — mentioned the Minister.
Additionally, the Minister noted that since November 25 of last year, a process for voluntary declaration of weapons has been ongoing in Ukraine. This initiative allows citizens to legalize their unregistered weapons and retain them after the end of martial law by converting them into permitted types.
Furthermore, the Ministry pays significant attention to conducting outreach and preventive work with the public to raise legal awareness and inform citizens about the responsibilities for illegal possession or sale of weapons.
In turn, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship, Ambassador Petr Maresh, acknowledged Ukraine's achievements in establishing the Unified Register of Weapons and the Coordinating Center for Counteracting Illegal Arms Trade, as well as the efforts of law enforcement to ensure citizen safety during the full-scale invasion.
«Illegal trafficking of firearms is closely linked to international organized crime, posing a serious threat to communities worldwide. This issue encompasses not only security but also economics, and ultimately — democracy and politics. Therefore, we, along with government representatives and international partners, are uniting our efforts to combat illegal arms trade in Ukraine», — emphasized Petr Maresh.
Within the framework of three thematic blocks, participants discussed the outcomes of the voluntary weapon declaration initiative, future steps in international cooperation on arms control, and information campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness.
The event also served as an important platform for exchanging experiences, establishing new formats of collaboration with international partners, and developing joint initiatives to combat the illegal arms trade.
