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There was two-way cooperation because we had common goals: Expel Russians from our security service and to prevent the Russian special services from engaging in hostile operations against Ukraine and its citizens. In both cases, America supported such efforts.
Because of your actions in 2014, what advantages does Ukraine today reap?
A big advantage for Ukraine today is that it is working, and working effectively, with professionally trained SBU officers, especially in counterterrorism and counterintelligence, supported by our partners in the CIA and FBI. And it is now especially important, just as it was at the very beginning.
When you look back at that period, could more have been done?
We were dealing with a post-revolutionary situation in Kyiv. The security and the defense systems of Ukraine were mostly destroyed by these events – such as the Yanukovych Regime and Russians, who sought to disarm and disorient Ukraine. Russia intentionally influenced Yanukovych and his government to weaken the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), intelligence services of Ukraine, and defense of Ukraine.
This program that we launched was a high priority.
I am sure that for the American services, this cooperation has brought great profit to them as it has to us.
This cooperation guaranteed the security of our peoples as it allows us to defend ourselves from Russia’s meddling in elections, or from Russians conducting cyber-attacks, and from cyber-attacks against our banks and economies. But also, against weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation. And all these threats are top of priorities for Ukrainians, and the same priorities for US and European states.
You were formerly stationed at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, DC and regularly travelled to DC. What is your take-away about the situation in Congress?
When I visited Congress, I always met with Democrats and Republicans. I was able to demonstrate clear evidence of what Russians had done and the crimes committed by Russia against our – Ukraine and the US’s – security. It is not about Ukraine's or the US's security – it is about our nations’ mutual security.
Now, as a member of parliament, it is important that we build up bipartisan support and bi-partisan understanding of why security cooperation is vital. We must actively work with both parties in the United States to promote our nations’ national security interests.
Full disclosure: Mr. Nalyvaichenko and the article’s author, Jason Jay Smart, were colleagues, starting in 2014, on efforts to combat corruption and to promote Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/28678