During an expert discussion involving Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and the OSCE Special Representative Petr Maresh, joint actions to combat illegal arms, ammunition, and explosives trafficking in Ukraine were addressed.
The event was attended by deputy ministers, law enforcement representatives, international organizations, and parliament members. The discussion was moderated by Mykola Grintsov, Director of the Department for Interaction with the National Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Minister Klymenko emphasized the significance of controlling arms circulation in the context of war, stating that it is a critical security issue for both Ukraine and Europe.
"The extensive front and intense hostilities pose a high risk of weapons falling into criminal hands. We are implementing security measures that will enhance citizen safety and lay the foundation for Ukraine's post-war recovery," he stressed.
The Ministry continues to improve control systems, aligning them with international standards. An important step was the introduction of a Unified Weapons Register, which strengthened control over the circulation of firearms in Ukraine.
"The Unified Weapons Register, operational since June 2023, simplifies the registration process for citizens while enhancing control," the Minister added.
Additionally, since November 25 of last year, Ukraine has been undergoing a voluntary arms declaration process, allowing the legalization of unregistered weapons. The Ministry is also actively conducting public awareness campaigns aimed at increasing legal awareness.
Petr Maresh highlighted Ukraine's achievements in establishing the Unified Weapons Register, emphasizing the importance of combating illegal arms trafficking linked to international organized crime.
Participants discussed the results of voluntary declarations, future steps for international cooperation, and information campaigns aimed at raising public awareness.
The event served as an important platform for exchanging experiences and developing new initiatives to combat illegal arms trafficking.
