“The new Law on the Security Service of Ukraine will provide it with more modern mechanisms for eliminating challenges and threats,” said the Deputy Head of SBU Reformation Serhii Pun in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine agency.

“The main thing is that the new law would be resultative and the SBU would become more effective and efficient with additional capabilities to guarantee the security of the country. The situation with COVID-19 shows that we must also be prepared to counteract such threats. And for this we need the new modern mechanisms,” noted Serhii Pun.

He stressed that national security is a very important area and that the SBU reform should be implemented in a balanced way.

The new draf law no. 3196, proposed by the President, clearly distinguishes the funcrions of the SBU and other law enforcement agencies. Counterintelligence, protection of national statehood and fight against terrorism, cyber security, protection of state secrets, strengthening of informational and analytical sphere of the Security Service of Ukraine come to the fore.

It can be strengthened by changing the activity approach: from reactive to proactive and risk-oriented.

"In this case the Service does not wait for something to happen, but neutralizes the threats themselves. The SBU takes to consideration the threats, develops its structure and adapts it,” explains Serhii Pun.

The SBU reform speaker also emphasized that the new structure does not include the Main Directorate for Combatting Corruotion and Organized Crime and Main Directorate for the Counterintelligence Protection of the National Economy. The SBU will not participate in the pre-trial investigation of corruption and economic crimes.

Gradual downsizing and demilitarization is a part of SBU reform. The number of employees is planned to decrease from 27 to 15 thousand till 2027. During the special period it can reach 20 thousand employees. In addition, demilitarization will give additional opportunities for civilians to work in the SBU and add flexibility in structure.

The draft law takes into account key points that are important for Ukrainian society, experts and international partners.

We remind, the draft law on Security Service of Ukraine was submitted by the President to Parliament on March 10. It contains innovations that will help the SBU to change and improve its activity. Head of the SBU Ivan Bakanov hopes that the Verkhovna Rada would consider the bill in the near future as urgent.