The discussion focused on finding a balance between national security, effective justice, and the uninterrupted operation of defense industry enterprises.
Participants noted that Ukrainian society has developed strong trust in key institutions: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) in the field of anti-corruption investigations and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in safeguarding national security. This trust should serve as a foundation for a more flexible and responsible approach to their work within the defense sector.
- The defense industry is a highly sensitive sector where two types of critical risks coexist:• high-level corruption in the defense sector;
• crimes related to state secrets and espionage.
Approaches to investigating these categories cannot be identical to those used in civilian sectors, given the strategic importance of the industry and the risks to national defense capabilities.
It was also emphasized that even the early stages of investigations or initial procedural actions may create risks for international cooperation. This can lead to frozen projects, lost investments, and disrupted contracts even before the facts are established in court.
Among the key proposals was the introduction of a so-called “quiet regime,” which involves more restrained communication during certain stages of investigations. Specifically:
- limited access to case materials;
• a special regime for working with registries;
• publication of verified information on investigation outcomes rather than initial suspicions.
Such an approach would help balance transparency with the protection of national interests and minimize reputational and economic risks for the defense sector.
