Military personnel to be involved in drafting laws in the Verkhovna Rada: MPs may be allowed up to two officer advisors

The registered bill No. 15285 in the Verkhovna Rada "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Involvement of Military Personnel in the Legislative Work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine" proposes the introduction of a new institution — military advisors to members of parliament of Ukraine. It concerns the possibility of involving active military personnel to work with parliamentarians dealing with issues of national security, defense, intelligence, and parliamentary oversight of law enforcement agencies.

The project was developed against the backdrop of the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The explanatory note states that the purpose of the initiative is to use the practical experience of military personnel during the preparation of legislative decisions in the fields of national security, defense, intelligence, and military service.

The authors of the bill proceed from the assumption that military personnel can provide MPs with professional informational and analytical support and help take into account the real needs of the security and defense sector when preparing legislative initiatives.

Essence of the legislative changes

The bill proposes to introduce a new institution — military advisors to members of parliament of Ukraine. To this end, the Law of Ukraine "On the Status of a Member of Parliament of Ukraine" is planned to be supplemented with a new Article 34-1.

The right to have such advisors will be granted to MPs who work in the Verkhovna Rada committees on national security and defense, as well as in the committee exercising parliamentary control over the activities of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

The bill proposes to grant certain MPs the right to have up to two military advisors.

Who can become a military advisor

A military advisor can be a military officer with at least five years of service. The bill also provides that such a person may be a citizen of Ukraine, a foreigner, or a stateless person.

The MP will independently select advisors, determine their duties, and the term of office, which cannot exceed the term of the MP's powers.

How the secondment mechanism will work

One of the key innovations is the procedure for sending military personnel to the Verkhovna Rada.

To work as a military advisor, an MP will be able to initiate the secondment of a military serviceman to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. For this, the MP will send a request to the heads of military formations and security and defense sector bodies specified by law.

The bill provides that such a request is considered within five days and is mandatory for execution.

After secondment, the military serviceman will work in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine while remaining in military service.

Guarantees for military personnel

After completing work as a military advisor, the person will return to further service in their previous position or, with their consent, another position not lower in rank.

It is also proposed to establish that the time spent working as a military advisor will be counted towards military service length, and regular military ranks will be assigned in the usual manner.

The maximum military rank for the position of military advisor is proposed to be set at colonel or captain 1st rank.

Who cannot be a military advisor

The bill defines a list of officials who cannot hold such positions. Among them are the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Chief of the General Staff of Ukraine, heads of intelligence agencies, the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, and other leaders of the security and defense sector, as well as their first deputies and deputies.

Which laws are proposed to be amended

To implement the new mechanism, the bill also provides amendments to the Laws of Ukraine "On the Security Service of Ukraine," "On Military Duty and Military Service," "On Intelligence," "On the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine," "On State Protection of State Authorities and Officials of Ukraine," "On the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine," and "On the National Guard of Ukraine."

These changes aim to regulate the procedure for seconding military personnel to the positions of military advisors to members of parliament of Ukraine.

Possible practical application issues

If the bill is adopted, practical questions may arise regarding the balance between the needs of military formations and the involvement of officers in work at the Verkhovna Rada.

Particular attention may be drawn to the mechanism of seconding military personnel to the Verkhovna Rada. The bill provides that an MP's request for secondment of a military serviceman to the position of military advisor is mandatory for execution. This innovation may become one of the most discussed provisions of the document during its further consideration.

At the same time, the authors of the bill expect that involving officers in legislative work will strengthen the expert component of decision-making in the field of national security and defense and ensure the consideration of practical military experience during the development of legislative initiatives.

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