US and Ukrainian inspectors agree to bolster control over use of international aid

The Main Inspection of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Office of the Inspector General of the US Department of Defense have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

This document was signed during the meeting between the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umшerov and the Inspector General of the US Department of Defense Robert Storch, Rubryka reports.

The Memorandum includes:

• Exchange of relevant information to detect, confirm, and prevent fraud or corruption affecting or related to the security assistance provided by the US to Ukraine;
• Conducting joint activities to detect, confirm, and prevent fraud and corruption;
• Establishing a mechanism for the mutual exchange of requests related to investigations and actions within the scope of the parties' powers and jurisdiction;
• Holding periodic meetings to identify priority areas of cooperation to achieve common goals.

Umierov also informed the American side about institutional transformations, including introducing an effective oversight system, risk management, compliance, corruption prevention in procurement, the introduction of democratic control tools in the defense sector, and so on.

"By the end of April, we will have one hundred percent confidence that all oversight mechanisms will be implemented, and the system will be operational," assured Rustem Umerov.

The minister emphasized that strengthening control and transparency in the use of security assistance provided to Ukraine by partners is one of the priorities of the department's work.

Recently, three inspectors from the United States arrived in Kyiv for a series of meetings with the recipients of the assistance provided by the United States.

They held a meeting with Ukraine's Minister of Defense, Rustem Umierov, during which they discussed the assistance provided by Washington to Kyiv.

As Rubryka reported, the Concept of Self-Reporting by the Partner Country on the Final Use was initiated and signed by the Ministry of Defense on November 27, 2023.

In January 2024, the Internal Audit Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and representatives of the US Embassy jointly conducted an inspection of weapons and property provided by American partners at one of the military units.