The Security Service of Ukraine is systematically and responsibly fulfilling its obligations under the Rule of Law Roadmap. This was stated by Brigadier General Oleh Holovash, Chief of Staff to the Head of the SSU, during a thematic workshop on the implementation of actions under Block IV. Justice, Freedom, and Security of the Rule of Law Roadmap.

The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and with the support of EU projects: Support for Justice Reforms in Ukraine (Pravo-Justice III) and GIZ’s Promoting Ukraine’s Approximation to the EU in the Field of the Rule of Law (3E4U).

Representatives of the European Commission, the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform in Ukraine, EU projects, and civil society participated in the panel discussion The New Law of Ukraine ‘On the Security Service of Ukraine,’ Strengthening Democratic Oversight of the SSU.

During the discussion, a representative of the European Commission noted the SSU’s progress in implementing reforms and fulfilling the provisions of the Roadmap, which outlines key measures critical for Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership.

According to her, the reform of the Service must be considered comprehensively, including the adoption of necessary legislation. In particular, the new law On the SSU, which is directly linked to the adoption of the Law of Ukraine On Law Enforcement Agencies and corresponding amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

Representatives of the EUAM Ukraine emphasised that reforming the SSU is a complex process. Therefore, during the event, experts focused exclusively on the issue of democratic civilian oversight, the practices of EU member states, current national legislation, key challenges for Ukraine, and the necessary next steps. According to the participants in the discussion, to further improve democratic oversight and to adopt and implement the necessary regulations, joint efforts must be made not only by the SSU but also by intelligence agencies, the National Security and Defence Council, the Parliament, and the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Oleh Holovash, Chief of Staff to the Head of the SSU, thanked the representatives of the European Commission for supporting Ukraine in its struggle to preserve statehood and independence, and the EU Advisory Mission for its cooperation, which made it possible to implement a series of transformational changes in the SSU’s structure and adapt national legislation to EU and NATO security requirements.

‘The SSU is involved in implementing the measures set forth in the Overarching Strategic Plan for Law Enforcement Reform, the Ukraine-NATO Interoperability Roadmap, and, of course, the Rule of Law Roadmap, to which this event is dedicated. Over the past three years, thanks to the SSU’s fruitful cooperation with the Ukrainian Parliament and international partners, 13 laws have been adopted, enabling the introduction into national legislation of effective tools related to the SSU’s core activities: countering terrorism, ensuring information security and cybersecurity, operational and combat activities,’ emphasized Oleh Holovash.

He also noted that public opinion polls commissioned by international organizations in 2024–2025 showed that the SSU is one of the leaders in terms of public trust.

In addition, the SSU is systematically implementing reforms, while ensuring that changes are introduced in a way that prevents any reduction in the effectiveness of countering external threats. As part of these efforts, the SSU has developed and approved a Development Strategy for the Service through 2030.

The Chief of Staff to the Head of the SSU also reported that a draft law has been prepared to regulate specific issues regarding the unification of the Service’s counterintelligence activities. The document has been submitted to the European Commission and the NATO Representation to Ukraine. Additionally, in cooperation with international partners, the SSU has reviewed EU regulations, rules, and directives, including those on handling of classified information. The relevant draft legislation has been submitted for review to the European Commission and the NATO Representation in Ukraine.

Oleh Holovash noted that the SSU does not conduct criminal proceedings relating to investigations into economic and corruption crimes. Upon detection of signs of a criminal offence in this category, the materials are immediately forwarded to the relevant law enforcement agencies.

This is done in accordance with the principle of jurisdictional remit and the consolidation of pre-trial investigations into criminal offences that directly threaten Ukraine’s vital interests in the sphere of national security.

‘Regarding the investigation of international crimes of a specific nature, gathering a complete picture of evidence and documenting the actions of the aggressor state’s military and political leadership, obtaining and legalizing information as evidence regarding the military plans and actions of russia’s armed formations, and transferring such evidence to international courts – these tasks are successfully carried out by the Security Service, which possesses the relevant powers established by Ukrainian legislation. Sharing the SSU’s mandate and powers with other agencies in this area is impractical,’ the brigadier general emphasised.

Participants in the event paid special attention to the draft of a new law on the SSU’s activities. SSU experts have studied the legislation governing the activities of domestic security and intelligence services in European countries, primarily Poland, Germany, and France, as well as the Baltic and Scandinavian states. In nine EU member states, domestic security services conduct pre-trial investigations into crimes that threaten national security. Therefore, the application of best European practices is a matter of debate and must be based on the priority of each state’s national interests. In the drafting of the bill, the SSU is open to dialogue.

In cooperation with EUAM in Ukraine, SSU experts also analysed European models of democratic civilian oversight of security services. For its part, the SSU is interested in building an effective oversight system. At the same time, the introduction of new forms of external oversight should be carried out following a thorough expert assessment of the adequacy of the 11 existing forms of external oversight over the SSU’s activities, as defined by law.

An important aspect is ensuring the functioning of a special parliamentary committee in the future composition of the Verkhovna Rada, which will perform oversight functions over the activities of special-purpose agencies with law enforcement functions, special-purpose law enforcement agencies, and intelligence agencies. The implementation of a procedure requiring members of this committee to undergo a special vetting in connection with access to information held by intelligence and counterintelligence agencies also requires joint attention from the EU and the SSU.

At the same time, the issue of establishing an independent ombudsman remains a matter of debate, given the existence in Ukraine of three ombudsman institutions that already exercise oversight over the SSU’s activities within their respective mandates.

The Security Service looks forward to fruitful cooperation with international partners in developing a realistic model of democratic civilian oversight over the activities of national security services. This model should facilitate the effective fulfilment of the tasks assigned to these agencies while ensuring unconditional respect for human rights and freedoms.

‘The SSU is actively working with the Verkhovna Rada to draft and adopt, in the near future, critically important laws in the field of counterintelligence and the protection of state secrets under current conditions. The Security Service is ready for further joint work on the draft Law of Ukraine On Law Enforcement Agencies, which is necessary from the perspective of delineating powers. The adoption of the Law of Ukraine On Law Enforcement Agencies, amendments to the laws On Counterintelligence Activities and On State Secrets directly impacts the completion of comprehensive work on the draft Law On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Security Service of Ukraine’. ‘Our common goal is further development of the SSU as a strong partner in the European security environment,’ Oleh Holovash concluded.