Procurement reform. NATO made a clear demand to Ukraine
Category
Economics
Publication date

Procurement reform. NATO made a clear demand to Ukraine

NATO
NATO

The NATO representation in Ukraine promptly reacted to the situation surrounding two procurement agencies for the defense sector. The Alliance insists that they should remain separate and have their own supervisory boards.

Points of attention

  • NATO insists on the creation of supervisory boards for defense procurement agencies of Ukraine.
  • Procurement reform is key to NATO's recommendations for Ukraine and is aimed at increasing the country's resilience and defense capabilities.
  • The Ministry of Defense's initiatives to merge agencies are consistent with NATO standards, but issues of independence and anti-corruption practices remain in the spotlight.

NATO requires Ukraine to clearly fulfill all requirements

The Alliance's representative draws attention to the fact that the procurement reform is among the recommendations for Ukraine approved at the NATO summit in order for it to increase its stability and defense capability and approach the membership criteria.

Among the approved recommendations is that two newly established agencies, the Defense Acquisition Agency, responsible for the acquisition of lethal weapons, and the State Home Front Operator, responsible for illegal procurement, should continue to be strengthened and remain separate agencies, at least for the duration of the war, the statement said.

In addition, it is emphasized that the focus should remain on further strengthening their capacity to perform important tasks and maintaining their independence and anti-corruption practices.

First of all, it is about the speedy appointment of an independent supervisory board for both agencies.

What is known about Umerov's decision on this matter

As already mentioned earlier, last week the head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umyerov, announced plans to merge the Defense Procurement Agency (AOD) and the State Rear Operator (DOT) into one enterprise.

According to the minister, he and his team want to "unite all agencies into one according to NATO standards."

On October 1, Umerov announced the dismissal of half of his deputies and at the same time announced the creation of supervisory boards for both agencies "in the near future."

The NATO representative emphasized that they understand the latest statement of the Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov on this topic as the fact that the agencies will remain separate, and welcomed the expressed intentions to create supervisory boards in the near future.

Category
Politics
Publication date

US-Russia talks: Zelensky's first reaction has emerged

Zelensky changed his plans because of the US and Russia
Source:  online.ua

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially confirmed that he had postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia until March amid talks between Russia and the United States that took place in Riyadh on February 18.

Points of attention

  • The President of Ukraine wants to hold talks with the American delegation in Kyiv.
  • Zelensky stressed that the US and Russia do not have the right to make decisions about ending the war without Ukraine.

Zelensky changed his plans because of the US and Russia

The journalist reminded Volodymyr Zelensky about the current negotiations between the Russian Federation and the United States, emphasizing that on February 18, the Russian delegation plans to leave for Moscow, while the Americans plan to remain in Saudi Arabia.

Against this background, she asked whether the President of Ukraine plans to meet with American partners during his visit to Saudi Arabia on February 19.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he has postponed his visit, and he expects to hold talks with the American delegation in Kyiv.

We were not invited to this Russian-American meeting in Saudi Arabia, it was a surprise for us. We received the information from the media... We want no one to decide anything behind our backs. I think it's fair. Any country has a bilateral track with other countries, please..

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

According to the head of state, the US and Russia can discuss whatever they want, but they do not have the right to make decisions without Ukraine about ending the war.

"I will not go to Saudi Arabia. We have contacted our partners. I have good relations with Crown Prince Muhammad. We have just contacted and agreed that on March 10 I will be on an official visit. And the United States, we are expecting them in Kyiv."

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