Law enforcement reform and European integration: ESBU strengthens its role in the security sector

 The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine is consistently transforming into a modern analytical law enforcement agency and strengthening its role in implementing the Overarching Strategic Plan for the Reform of Law Enforcement Agencies as part of the state's security and defense sector. The main approaches and results of this work were presented in Dnipro during a conference dedicated to the reform of law enforcement agencies in the context of Ukraine's European integration.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine together with the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, with the support of international partners. Representatives of the government, law enforcement agencies, international organizations, and the expert community joined the discussion.

Oleksii Drozd, head of the ESBU unit, participated in the event on behalf of the Bureau, presenting the Bureau's approaches to implementing reforms and outlining practical results of the tasks of the Overarching Strategic Plan for 2023–2027.

According to him, one of the key elements of the further reform of the ESBU is granting the Bureau a special status. A corresponding bill has already been registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. This is intended to strengthen the ESBU's institutional independence, minimize the risks of external influence, and align with the expectations of international partners regarding the reform of the law enforcement system.

The reform encompasses personnel renewal, the development of analytical tools, and the strengthening of internal control and accountability. In 2025, the ESBU participated in the implementation of 153 measures of the Comprehensive Plan, specifically ensuring personnel re-certification, strengthening the analytical department, and providing proposals for improving legislation.

In 2026, the ESBU was designated as a co-executor of 62 measures of the plan, 21 of which were already processed in the first quarter.

The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine is consistently strengthening its institutional capacity and implementing standards that meet European practices in the field of economic security.