The Future of Ukraine's Security Sector: The Path to Post-War Peace and Stability Consolidation

Key Chapter Title List

1. Combating Corruption to Secure Ukraine's Future
2. Rebalancing the Scales of Justice
3. Supporting Veterans and Security Governance
4. Supporting Civilian Law Enforcement
5. Overall Policy Options
6. Research Methodology and Assumptions
7. Main Findings
8. Priority 1: Strengthening Weak Anti-Corruption Mechanisms
9. Priority: Rebuilding Social Cohesion
10. Priority: Regulating Ukrainian Volunteer Defense Organizations
11. Priority: Addressing Policing Challenges in the Post-Transformation Civil Security Environment
12. Summary of Policy Options

Document Introduction

During the critical period of Ukraine's transition from war to peace, consolidating peace and stability hinges on enhancing its security sector capabilities. While winning the war remains Ukraine's primary task, this report focuses on core security sector issues that determine the country's ability to secure peace, including combating corruption, holding perpetrators of war crimes accountable, facilitating veteran reintegration, and strengthening civilian security. These issues are not only crucial for Ukraine's internal stability but are also closely linked to the strategic interests of the United States and NATO, holding significant importance for consolidating democratic alliances and strengthening the defense of NATO's eastern flank.

Based on extensive field research, qualitative analysis of official documents, and consultations with numerous Ukrainian, American, and international officials and experts, the report constructs a comprehensive policy framework. The core content is divided into four thematic chapters, each delving deeply into key challenges and solutions in the areas of anti-corruption, judicial reform, veteran support and security governance, and civilian law enforcement. Each theme identifies core priorities, such as strengthening mechanisms in the anti-corruption field, addressing corruption within the security sector and elite capture, enhancing transparency in judicial reform, and improving the efficiency of war crime accountability.

Methodologically, the report synthesizes insights from over 200 cross-sectoral experts to form policy recommendations that are both broad and targeted. Broad policies include developing an overall framework for post-war security sector reform, establishing coordination platforms, conducting public expenditure reviews, introducing technological innovations, and continuously monitoring citizen needs. Targeted policies focus on specific implementation pathways for each theme, such as expanding staffing for anti-corruption agencies, digitizing judicial records, providing comprehensive support for veterans, and developing specialized plans for policing in liberated territories.

The report emphasizes that Ukraine's security sector reform must balance multiple contradictions: seizing reform opportunities presented by EU and NATO eastward expansion while avoiding institutional flaws caused by hasty reforms; meeting international standards while adapting to domestic fiscal and capacity realities; strengthening security and defense capabilities while guarding against the erosion of democracy by excessive securitization. Successfully advancing these reforms will not only help Ukraine consolidate post-war stability and achieve a transition to European-style democratic governance but also demonstrate to strategic competitors the determination and capability of democratic alliances to collaboratively address challenges.