Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
12.16.2014
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Let’s hope that amendments to the law “On the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine” (we anticipate their adoption in the second reading next Tuesday) will help to solve the main problem, which has not been resolved since the beginning of the ATO [anti-terrorist operation]. Namely – to organize cooperation between the law enforcement agencies, without which it is impossible to effectively utilize the security sector and fend off Russian aggression (we have found out about this the hard way since the spring).

The amendments to the law separately stipulate the NSDC participation in the formation of the office of the Presidential Chief of Staff. However, as you know, de jure we are [currently] in peacetime, while the Chief of Staff office is formed only in the event of war. However, we have an agency represented by the same National Security and Defense Council [NSDC], which is a “coordinating body” under [Ukrainian] law; only until today the legislation obviously failed to confer [relevant] authority [on it] for real coordination. Changes to the law will correct this. That is, in fact, we will receive an equivalent to the office of the Chief of Staff that will be able to work effectively in conditions of peacetime.

And some commentary on the appointment of Oleksandr Turchynov as the Head of the NSDC. The best advertisement in this situation is the attitude of Russian politicians and media towards Oleksandr Valentynovych, whom Moscow hates sincerely and wholeheartedly. It is obvious why – because [he] was able to organize the ATO this spring despite the complete paralysis of the Ukrainian army and intelligence services and thereby disrupt “the Crimean scenario” in Donbas, which says a lot.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB