First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andrii Parubii and Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oksana Syroyid have taken part in the roundtable entitled "Parliamentary control over the sectors of security and defense" dedicated to exchange of experience between Canadian experts in the field of security and defense and people's deputies of Ukraine, employees of Ukrainian ministries and experts engaged in issues of the parliamentary control over the sectors of security and defense of Ukraine.
In particular, Parubii noted that the Ukrainian Parliament had played a considerable part at the stage of the foundation of the Ukrainian voluntary military units at the start of the Russian aggression two years ago. "The people, who protected their Motherland at the barricades later received the official right to go to war and protect Ukraine. The Law of Ukraine on the National Guard of Ukraine allowed to attract volunteers, who were the ideological fundamental of our frontlines and victory," he said.
In his words, the hybrid war has raised a huge number of questions to the Parliament. "However, the common position of the President of Ukraine, Government and the Parliament allowed launching the deepest ever reforms in the sector of defense. Over the last two years, we have managed to make fundamental changes in our legislation," Parubii said.
At the same time, he noted that none of it would have been possible if Ukraine had not received the support of the whole civilized world. He thanked the Canadians for their substantial assistance provided since the very first days of the combat activities.
Parubii noted that "the challenges Ukraine is currently facing are the challenges not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole civilized world in conditions when the soviet-time security system has been ruined." He also added that it is very important for Ukraine to "feel that we are not alone, that the whole civilized world is supporting us both in the fields of military and legislative support helping Ukraine create one of the most modern armies that would operate under parliamentary control."
In turn, Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oksana Syroyid reminded the march of the soldiers, who lacked proper equipment supply in the frontlines. She said "there is no response to the question concerning the use of funds allocated for the needs of the Ukrainian army."
Syroyid considers that communication with the head of the General Staff and military structures must be adjusted despite the fact that a part of the executive power is governed by the Government, while another part by the President of Ukraine.
She also noted that "everything changed when the Ukrainian society, which was helping the volunteers, started to support the Ukrainian army, — the society created the request for control over the sector of security and defense." She said that the Parliament has not yet responded to that request.
The roundtable took part within the framework of the project entitled "Enhancement of democratic governing in Ukraine: support for Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine" upon an initiative of the Parliamentary Center (Canada), Legislative Initiatives Laboratory, as well as in cooperation with people's deputy of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze.
The Canadian side was represented by: Senator/Vice Chair of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group Raynell Andreychuk; Minister of National Defense of Canada (2003) David Pratt; member of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada/Major-General Charles Sullivan; senior lawyer at Security Governance Group/senior research officer at the Security management center David Law.