The Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine met with the Director of the NSDD Program of the US National Agency for Nuclear Safety
Serhiy Deineko met with Director of the Detection and Termination of Nuclear Smuggling Program (NSDD) of the National Nuclear Security Agency of the United States of America (NNSA) Andrew Waugh.
During a working trip to Washington as part of the official delegation headed by the President of Ukraine, the Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Sergey Deineko met with the Director of the Program “Detection and Termination of Nuclear Smuggling” (NSDD) of the National Nuclear Security Agency of the United States of America (NNSA) Andrew Voghom.
The head of the border agency noted that the Ukrainian side highly appreciates cooperation with the NNSA.
“We are grateful for the assistance that American partners provide to us to effectively and reliably protect the state border and ensure the fulfillment of tasks, in particular in the east of Ukraine. The border agency of Ukraine remains faithful to the goals declared earlier, and seeks only to strengthen and expand cooperation with our strategic partners,” Serhiy Deyneko said.
Andrew Waugh expressed hope that, together with the State Border Service of Ukraine, cooperation will continue to be continued in countering the smuggling of nuclear materials in order to be prepared for the various challenges that arise in these times.
“The implementation of the Program in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than 16 years, has greatly benefited the security of both our countries and has made a significant contribution to the improvement of global security,” noted the Director of the Program “Detecting and Stopping Nuclear Smuggling”.
During the meeting, the parties also discussed further steps of cooperation and the possibility of launching new initiatives, including the arrangement of the state border and the provision of equipment for units performing tasks in the area of the exclusion zone.
It is worth noting that the cooperation between the NNSA and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in the fight against smuggling of nuclear materials dates back many years. In 2019-2021 alone, American partners provided international technical assistance in the amount of more than UAH 325 million. In general, within the framework of cooperation, radiation control systems were installed at international checkpoints across the state border, airports and ports within Ukraine. The same systems are equipped at checkpoints on the border with the occupied territories. With the support of the Program, the Border Agency of Ukraine established a Training Center for Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, which is part of the centers of the International Network of NSSC IAEA. Another group of facilities has also been agreed with the American side, work on the installation of systems on which is planned to be completed by the end of the year.
DPSU
