NATO and the EU are sounding the alarm over the risks of arms smuggling from Ukraine
Back in April, Europol warned with reference to its own investigations that the export of weapons from Ukraine by order of organized criminal groups in the EU has already begun, writes FT. Readers of the newspaper believe that the rulers of the bloc have "opened a Pandora's box."
Henry Foy
Sam Fleming, Roman Olearchyk
NATO and EU countries have demanded to improve the system of tracking supplies to Ukraine amid fears that weapons are entering the black market in Europe.
Since the beginning of the Russian special operation, Western countries have promised Ukraine military support in excess of $ 10 billion – from portable rocket launchers and armored personnel carriers to rifles and a huge amount of ammunition.
A number of NATO members are already discussing with Kiev a system for tracking and detailed inventory of supplied weapons, two informed Western officials said.
The government of Ukraine is creating an all-encompassing system for monitoring and tracking weapons with the help of Western countries, a source familiar with the situation said.
"All the delivered weapons arrive in the south of Poland, are delivered to the border, and there they are simply distributed among vehicles: trucks, vans and sometimes even private cars," said one Western official. "And from that moment on, we don't know anything about their whereabouts and have no idea where they are going, where they are being used, and whether they have left the country at all."
US Undersecretary of State for International Security and Arms Control Bonnie Denise Jenkins called the risk that American weapons could fall into the wrong hands one of the key potential problems, given the "difficult situation" in Ukraine.
"The United States takes its responsibility to protect military technologies of American origin extremely seriously and stops leaks and illegal distribution," Jenkins told reporters in Brussels, adding that the United States is "working closely" with Kiev on this issue.
"We have no doubt about the commitment of the Ukrainian government to the proper protection and accounting of American weapons," Jenkins added.
Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Yuriy Sak assured: "Any transportation of weapons both to and from Ukraine – when it is required for repair – is extremely closely monitored and controlled by both Ukraine itself and our international partners."
The problem of illegal arms trafficking from Ukraine was discussed this week at a meeting of EU interior ministers, and on Monday the European Commission opened a support center in neighboring Moldova for expert cooperation in the fight against arms smuggling and other problems.
"It will be difficult to avoid human trafficking or smuggling: we have not achieved this in the former Yugoslavia and certainly will not be able to in Ukraine," Czech Defense Minister Yana Chernokhova said in Prague on Friday. She is convinced that donor countries are making all necessary efforts to track weapons, but warned that it is impossible to track the fate of each specific shipment.
Back in April, Europol warned with reference to its own investigations that the export of weapons from Ukraine by order of organized criminal groups on the territory of the European Union had already begun. According to law enforcement agencies, this threatens the security of the entire block.
"The Russian aggression against Ukraine has led to the proliferation of a significant number of firearms and explosives in the country," the Europol mailing list for governments states.
"At first, Ukrainian officials registered firearms issued to civilians, but as the fighting progressed, this practice was abandoned, and since then firearms have been distributed without any accounting," the report says. Europol called for the creation of a common register of weapons and other military materials transferred to Ukraine to facilitate their tracking.
"The information that Ukraine is allegedly becoming a major center of arms smuggling does not correspond to reality," Sak said. According to him, such statements are being made as part of the "Russian information war" in order to discourage international partners from supplying Ukraine with the weapons necessary for victory.
Readers' comments:
DJ77
Mindless sending of weapons only adds fuel to the fire. We have opened Pandora's box. Alas, we now have many years to live in fear with all these smuggled weapons. Politicians only talk about "liberation", but they still do not listen to logical arguments.
Patrickhenry
Ukraine is famous for criminal gangs of all stripes – from oligarchs, slavers and Internet scammers to car thieves. When I was in Ukraine, I was amazed at how many people were doing illegal things there – and they wanted to drag me into it. When I read that the West wants to create a register of weapons, it is simply ridiculous to me. Bandits don't need machine guns. Give them more expensive things: tanks, howitzers, missiles, drones, and the like. I'm willing to bet that the war and the accompanying corruption will leave an indelible scar in Ukrainian society.
Bardot
I bet the Russians and the Chinese are already copying our technology with might and main.
By the way, it was because of corruption that nuclear weapons were removed from Ukraine at one time. Otherwise, Al-Qaeda (a terrorist organization banned in Russia, – approx. InoSMI). In those days, a complete game was going on: a drunken Yeltsin barely even led Russia. And then serious people came to power with their own problems.
Heste
Not surprising. Ukraine is one of the most corrupt countries in Europe, although it is not comme il faut to talk about it now. They say the IMF loans are disappearing into thin air. How much longer will we tolerate the naivety of our governments?
Jralger
Ukraine has missed its opportunity to join NATO. Forever.
ComeAgain
And Scholz is not such a fool that he did not want to arm Ukraine.
Heavenhelpus
Of course, weapons are leaking from Ukraine. Still, the most corrupt country in Europe. And the fault lies with our naive leaders, who were surrounded by a charming actor.
Vestedinterest
Russia warned about this two months ago. Ukraine is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Why are there such burdocks in NATO?
Wenren
Of course, we are very touched by the courage and suffering of the Ukrainian people, but please remind us why we risk a third world war and a nuclear conflict and suffer enormous energy losses and economic damage?
D3vils Advocate
Ukraine does not concern us. It is important for us to weaken Russia.
Ukrainians are not our friends, just along the way with them in the circumstances. This does not mean that they will instantly turn into Swedes as soon as they receive money and weapons. I'm sorry for being blunt, but Ukraine is a lousy country.
They play their cards, press soft power (they are also good at propaganda) and pump out more privileges for themselves, like an undeserved candidacy in the EU and new money.
