Democratic Civilian Control

The oversight of the activity of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine is carried out in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, the Laws of Ukraine “On Intelligence Agencies of Ukraine”, “On National Security of Ukraine”.

Presidential control is exercised through general management by the Head of State over the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, appointment of senior officials, setting tasks and accountability of the SZR of Ukraine for their fulfillment. The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports to the President of Ukraine in accordance with the established practice and on the issues determined by him. The President of Ukraine also exercises control over intelligence activities through the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. At the same time, the Head of the SZR of Ukraine's being a permanent member of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, ensures the intelligence's constant involvement in the development of state policy in the national security sphere.

Parliamentary control is exercised by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine through the Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence. Some issues are discussed or heard at the meetings of the Committee or during meetings at the SZR of Ukraine.

Control over the State Budget of Ukraine's expenditure for the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine is exercised by the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine through a special group created from among its members. Supervision over the observance by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine of the laws of Ukraine is carried out by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the prosecutors authorized by him in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of Ukraine.

The Law of Ukraine “On National Security of Ukraine” adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine determines the legal basis for ensuring the maximum possible transparency in the activity of the state on issues of national security and defense. The Law provides for civilian control over the activity of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, which is exercised by citizens of Ukraine through public organizations of which they are members, through deputies of representative bodies and personally by appealing to the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights and his representative, responsible for the protection of the rights of military personnel, or to another state body in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine “On Citizens' Appeals”.

This division of control powers is in line with democratic standards and is close to the basic principles of control and oversight of intelligence activities in accordance with European standards.

Mechanisms of civil control over the activities of the SZR of Ukraine are constantly evolving and improving.

September 17, 2020, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine “On Intelligence”, which strengthened democratic civilian control over the intelligence segment of the national security and defense sector, first of all of the parliamentary and public. This will contribute to a clear understanding of the tasks, methods and techniques / practices of the intelligence community's activity, and will allow to properly evaluate the results of this activity.