EBA representatives joined the meeting with the new Head of the Economic Security Bureau

15/ 08/ 2025

Listen to online Stop   Natalia Artemchuk, Manager of the Tax and Customs Committees, and Anton Basystyi, Committees Manager at the European Business Association, took part in a meeting with Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, Head of the Economic Security Bureau, organised by the Ukrainian Business Council. The EBA’s representatives emphasised the importance of changing the approach to the work of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, which is currently undergoing reform. The business community expects positive developments stemming from the effective implementation of Presidential Decree No. 538/2025 of 21 July 2025, which enacts the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine to introduce a moratorium on groundless inspections and interference by state bodies in business operations. It is hoped that these restrictive measures for the Bureau will indeed ensure the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of businesses operating in Ukraine. Additionally, Yevhen Riyako, representative of the EBA’s Committee on Business Security and Protection and Managing Partner at Riyako & Partners, raised concerns related to analytical products, documents prepared by ESB detectives during investigations into potential criminal offences by business entities. At present, such analytical products serve as a basis for opening criminal proceedings. However, the business community has repeatedly pointed out the low quality of this analysis and the lack of accountability on the part of ESB analysts in cases where unjustified conclusions lead to court cases and asset seizures. The EBA counts on constructive dialogue and cooperation in combating smuggling, illegal trade, particularly in excisable goods, and other shadow schemes that distort fair competition for compliant businesses. We are grateful to Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, the organisers, and the expert community for the opportunity to discuss these important issues for business!

Natalia Artemchuk, Manager of the Tax and Customs Committees, and Anton Basystyi, Committees Manager at the European Business Association, took part in a meeting with Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, Head of the Economic Security Bureau, organised by the Ukrainian Business Council.

The EBA’s representatives emphasised the importance of changing the approach to the work of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, which is currently undergoing reform. The business community expects positive developments stemming from the effective implementation of Presidential Decree No. 538/2025 of 21 July 2025, which enacts the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine to introduce a moratorium on groundless inspections and interference by state bodies in business operations. It is hoped that these restrictive measures for the Bureau will indeed ensure the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of businesses operating in Ukraine.

Additionally, Yevhen Riyako, representative of the EBA’s Committee on Business Security and Protection and Managing Partner at “Riyako & Partners”, raised concerns related to analytical products, documents prepared by ESB detectives during investigations into potential criminal offences by business entities. At present, such analytical products serve as a basis for opening criminal proceedings. However, the business community has repeatedly pointed out the low quality of this analysis and the lack of accountability on the part of ESB analysts in cases where unjustified conclusions lead to court cases and asset seizures.

The EBA counts on constructive dialogue and cooperation in combating smuggling, illegal trade, particularly in excisable goods, and other shadow schemes that distort fair competition for compliant businesses.

We are grateful to Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi, the organisers, and the expert community for the opportunity to discuss these important issues for business!