NABU's Interaction in H1 2026: Joint Efforts for Gains

In the first half of 2026, the interaction of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine with international partners, law enforcement institutions of European Union member states, and civil society remained a vital component of strengthening the independence and institutional capacity of the anti-corruption system. Amidst the war, preparations for large-scale national recovery, and Ukraine's further European integration, international partnership increasingly acquired a practical dimension. The primary focus was placed not only on supporting anti-corruption reforms, but also on creating effective mechanisms to protect international assistance, European Union financing, and national resources earmarked for reconstruction.

During the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, NABU Director Semen Kryvonos held a series of meetings with representatives of international, governmental, and expert institutions involved in supporting reforms in Ukraine. Key topics included strengthening the institutional capacity of anti-corruption bodies, developing an independent forensic infrastructure, and preserving the independence of NABU and SAPO. International partners reaffirmed their readiness to continue providing expert, technical, and analytical support to uphold the rule of law in Ukraine.

An important step was the creation of a permanent regional platform to protect funds allocated for Ukraine's reconstruction. A corresponding memorandum was signed by NABU, NACP, as well as the anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The cooperation provides for the exchange of operational information and risk indicators, the coordination of work between detectives and analysts, and the development of joint approaches to investigating abuses in procurement, grants, and subsidies. The platform will operate in coordination with the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

Practical results of international cooperation also manifested in the return of assets spirited abroad. In June, another EUR 450,000 was returned to Ukraine in the case regarding corruption at the State Enterprise "Polygraph Combine 'Ukraina'". This result was made possible through the work of a joint investigation team comprising NABU detectives, SAPO prosecutors, and law enforcement officers from France and Estonia, with coordination and expert support from Eurojust, the StAR initiative, and international asset recovery platforms.

Cooperation with Ukrainian state authorities was also strengthened, in particular with the State Financial Monitoring Service of Ukraine, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), and the National Agency of Ukraine for Finding, Tracing and Management of Assets Derived from Corruption and Other Crimes (ARMA). Thus, during the first half of 2026:

based on the interaction between NABU and the State Financial Monitoring Service, 135 generalized and additional generalized materials were received;

20 substantiated conclusions on detecting signs of corruption or corruption-related offenses were received from the NACP, and upon NABU's request, 3 full audits of asset declarations of persons authorized to perform state or local self-government functions were conducted;

in the process of interaction with ARMA, 13 requests were sent regarding measures to trace and locate assets, including in foreign jurisdictions.

A separate focus area remained cooperation with civil society. In June, an open online vote was held for the tenth composition of the Civil Oversight Council (COC) under NABU. More than 45,000 citizens participated, and representatives of six NGOs entered the new COC. The use of open-source software and the engagement of an independent observer ensured the transparency of the process and the possibility of public oversight over its course.

Thus, in the first half of 2026, NABU's cooperation extended beyond consultative and political support. It materialized in the creation of permanent international mechanisms, joint investigations, asset recovery, and the development of public control. It is precisely this kind of cooperation that enhances the National Bureau's capacity, helps protect state resources, and builds the trust of Ukrainian society and international partners.