Talks that entrepreneurs complain about the pressure of the SBU are manipulative and untrue. According to Serhii Pun, the deputy head for the SBU reform, the number of complaints against the Service to the Business Ombudsman Council is much smaller than against other state bodies.

“There is no need to manipulate the phantom “intimidation” of business - such words are not supported by facts. Read the annual report of the Business Ombudsman Council for 2019 and everything will become clear”, said Serhii Pun, commenting on the statements of some experts and public activists.

In particular, the report shows that the number of appeals to the SBU has the most significant decrease (45% lower in comparison with 2018 and 59% lower in comparison with 2017). As a result, in 2019 there were only 17 complaints against the SBU, compared to 1,073 against tax authorities and 107 against the National Police. At the same time, the SBU systematically implements the advice provided by the Business Ombudsman Council.

Serhii Pun pointed out that such information attacks are the evidence that the issue of the SBU reforming has become too politicized. “We are forced to think that if the reform does not meet someone's ideas, wishes or requirements, then it is “wrong”. But is criticism for the sake of criticism a mark of effectiveness?” - Serhiy Pun added.

He stressed that the revised draft law on the SBU reform, which is currently being considered by the Verkhovna Rada, takes into account the proposals of international partners. In particular, on limiting the powers of the SBU to combat organized crime, economic and corruption crimes. The SBU can have such powers only within the framework of counterintelligence activities. “There’s a reason why the Service can not deal only with state security matters,” stressed Serhii Pun.

The project also adjusts the status of the SBU to the law “On National Security”. Therefore, it is a state body of special purpose with law enforcement functions.

6 types of control are introduced wihtin the SBU activity: presidential, parliamentary, financial, judicial, public and internal. Prosecutorial supervision will operate separately.

Serhii Pun noted that there is a possibility of various information intrusions to undermine confidence in the national security sector. “Today, Ukraine cannot afford to be weak. With such neighbors and hybrid threats, we simply have no choice. Therefore, the Security Service of Ukraine should be strong as well,” he is convinced.