Discussion on Arms Control Measures in Ukraine
An expert discussion titled «Collaborative Efforts on Arms Control in Ukraine» was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in partnership with the OSCE. The meeting included participation from various state officials and international organizations.
Attendees included Deputy Ministers of Internal Affairs Oleksii Serhiev and Bohdan Drapiatyi, the Head of the National Police of Ukraine Ivan Vihivskyi, and other representatives from law enforcement agencies. The session was moderated by Mykola Hryntsov, Director of the Department for Interaction with the National Police.
The Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized the critical need for control over arms circulation during wartime, noting its significance for both Ukraine and Europe.
«The extensive front and active combat operations pose a high risk of weapons falling into criminal hands. We are implementing measures to prevent these occurrences, establishing projects aimed at enhancing citizen safety, which will serve as a foundation for Ukraine's post-war recovery,» highlighted Ihor Klymenko.
The Ministry continues to enhance its systems for arms control, aligning them with international standards. A significant step has been the implementation of a Unified Register of Weapons, which has strengthened the monitoring of firearms circulation in Ukraine, while integration with the «Diiia» platform has made the registration process more accessible.
«Since June 2023, the Unified Register of Weapons has simplified the registration procedure for citizens while simultaneously enhancing control. We are actively working on the digitalization of services related to arms circulation,» noted the Minister.
Moreover, the Minister highlighted that since November 25 of last year, Ukraine has been undergoing a voluntary weapon declaration process. This initiative allows citizens to legalize their unregistered firearms and retain them after martial law, transitioning them to a permitted category.
The Ministry also places significant emphasis on public awareness campaigns aimed at increasing legal literacy and informing citizens about the responsibilities associated with illegal possession of firearms.
In turn, the Special Representative of the OSCE, Ambassador Petr Maresh, acknowledged Ukraine's achievements in establishing the Unified Register of Weapons and the Coordination Center for combating illegal arms trafficking, as well as the efforts of law enforcement in ensuring public safety during the full-scale invasion.
"The illegal circulation of firearms is closely linked to international organized crime, posing a serious threat to communities globally. This issue encompasses not only security but also economics, and ultimately democracy and governance. Therefore, we are uniting our efforts with government representatives and international partners to combat the illegal trafficking of weapons, ammunition, and explosives in Ukraine," emphasized Petr Maresh.
The participants discussed the outcomes of the voluntary weapon declaration initiative, future steps for international cooperation in arms control, and awareness campaigns to enhance citizen knowledge.
The event also served as an important platform for exchanging experiences, establishing new cooperation formats with international partners, and developing joint initiatives to combat illegal arms trafficking.
