Ukraine and the U.S. Agree to Strengthen Monitoring of Weapons Entering the Country
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine have agreed to enhance control over the end-use of weapons, including regular inventories and joint physical checks with partners.
This is stated in a statement by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
According to the report, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has signed a joint concept with the US Embassy's Defence Cooperation Division to ensure "additional transparency" in the storage and use of foreign weapons.
"All countries providing us with weapons will be confident that this weapon will not fall into the wrong hands, that it is controlled exclusively by the government, and that it is used in a lawful manner. From our side, Ukraine is doing its maximum for this. It's time to enhance the reputation of our state, turning it into an initiator and an example of transparency and accountability," emphasized Deputy Minister of Defense Yuriy Dzhygyr.
Currently, Ukrainian Armed Forces undergo training on the use of special electronic devices and conduct inventories at arsenals, bases, and warehouses across Ukraine.
Simultaneously, oversight of the presence, accounting, and compliance with the necessary conditions will be carried out jointly with foreign partners, including experts from the United States, who will also advise the Ukrainian side.
"The monitoring of the end-use of defense articles provided by the United States is a shared responsibility of the partner country and the U.S. Government," as stated in the joint concept.
On November 15, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine discussed with the monitoring mission of the European Peacebuilding Foundation the conduct of expert monitoring of the accounting of provided assistance by EU experts.
The Ukrainian side pledged to provide comprehensive support for organizing transparent checks.
"The EU representatives expressed their satisfaction with the openness of the Ukrainian side, readiness for cooperation, and also noted that such transparency has a positive impact on the decision of the EU countries to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine," the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine said.
Earlier, The Gaze reported that Robert Storch, the Inspector General of the US Department of Defense, had started his work in Ukraine, becoming the head of the group monitoring weapons, equipment, and technologies transferred from the U.S. to Ukraine.