European Union Supports National Police and State Border Guard Service in Ukraine
May 12, 2022
The European Union (EU) donated communication equipment to the National Police of Ukraine (NPU) and the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) worth over EUR 200,000 through the PRAVO Police Programme. This donation help these institutions improve their operational capacity at a time when they are protecting Ukraine and its citizens against Russia’s aggression.
The National Police of Ukraine received nearly 600 items with a total value of EUR 205,000. The State Border Guard Service obtained about 30 items worth more than EUR 10,000. This equipment will strengthen the capacities for effective and prompt communication internally and with other law enforcement agencies. In the long term, this will help the NPU and the SBGS to fulfil their mandates to provide safety and security for the citizens of Ukraine and make Ukrainian borders safer.
“The EU continues to provide support to different institutions in Ukraine in the area of the rule of law, as sustainable reform in this area is of the utmost importance, especially during challenging war times,” Frederik Coene, Head of Cooperation the EU Delegation to Ukraine stated. “Since the start of the Russian Federation’s invasion, Ukrainian rule of law institutions have been facing a volatile and rapidly evolving security environment. At the same time, they are under more pressure than ever to provide essential public services and ensure the security and safety of Ukrainian citizens.”
The delivery arrives as one of the first resulting from the use of emergency procurement procedures put in place under the PRAVO Police Programme, reflecting a shift in its priorities, as requested by the programme’s beneficiaries who are significantly affected by the war. For the receiving institutions, the donations will ensure the quality and continuity of their work in the current volatile security situation.
“Increasing the operational capacity of the Police and Border Guards through enhancing their communications is extremely important given Russia’s aggression. Apart from the daily crucial services, the National Police and the State Border Guard Service are courageously defending the State and insuring protection of its citizens”, Fredrik Wesslau, Deputy Head of the EU Advisory Mission stated. “This donation is one of many that will enhance coordination between the law enforcement agencies; it adds to the resilience of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s ongoing military invasion. EUAM stands by its Ukrainian partners and will continue to provide them strategic and practical assistance”.
“The PRAVO Police Programme continues to deliver various kinds of support to rule of law institutions in Ukraine, thus supporting them in their crucial work. It is not an overstatement to say the entire Ukrainian society is relying on rule of law being upheld, and safety being ensured. We are constantly confirming priorities, so that the necessary support is delivered to the right beneficiaries”, noted Elisa Dandria, UNOPS PRAVO Police Acting Programme Manager.
“The support from international partners is extremely important to us, because there is often a lack of any technical communication capabilities in regions where active hostilities continue. This equipment will enable the use of encrypted communication channels. Thanks to the technical support received, we have provided three regions and several National Police units with high-quality stable communication,” said Leonid Tymchenko, Head of the Department of Information and Analytical Support of the National Police of Ukraine.
Background information:
The equipment has been procured within the programme “Support for Rule of Law Reforms in Ukraine in the Areas of Police and Public Prosecution and Good Governance” (PRAVO Police) funded by the EU and implemented by UNOPS in close coordination with the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) Ukraine. The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to promoting rule of law in Ukraine and to aligning law-enforcement agencies functioning with the best EU and international practices. PRAVO Police provided Ukrainian rule of law agencies with expert support, specialised training in a range of topics, as well as specialised forensic and personal protection equipment, means of transportation, ICT equipment, solutions and systems. Following the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, PRAVO Police was reprogrammed to provide emergency assistance to rule of law institutions and support them in continuing to exercise their mandates of providing safety and security to the Ukrainian people. To this end, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies will receive essential means of transportation and communication as well as personal protective items worth over EUR 8,000,000 in the several months following 24 February 2022.
