All political forces represented in parliament, with the exception of pro-Russian ones, should be included in the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) in order to share political responsibility for the state’s key decisions. This was stated by the Chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum and Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2014 to 2016, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, during a broadcast on Hromadske Radio, whilst summarising the outcomes of the National Round Table organised by the Kyiv Security Forum on 21 August.
“It would be reasonable to include in the National Security and Defence Council, which is headed by the President of Ukraine – the Supreme Commander-in-Chief – all political forces represented in parliament, with the exception of pro-Russian ones,” he noted.
Commenting on the idea of a government of national unity, Yatsenyuk described it as appealing in theory but difficult to implement. “The problem with Ukrainian government officials is that they are just as ‘infected’ by the obsession with elections and the delusion of political ratings. And they need to focus not on how to win an election, but on how to win the war,” he emphasised.
That is precisely why, Chairman of the KSF stressed, it is not about the name, but about the essence. “We do not need fancy names such as a ‘government of national unity’ or a ‘government of national salvation’. This is a wartime government, and its members must clearly declare that they will not take part in the next parliamentary elections. And this must be enshrined in law. Then it will be easier for them to make the decisions the country needs,” Yatsenyuk noted.
The former prime minister cited the adoption of a clear government action programme with a defined timeframe as another essential condition. “It must be adopted without delay, but not for an indefinite period; rather, for 12 months. And after this time, the President and, first and foremost, Parliament – since we have a parliamentary-presidential system of government – will assess the Cabinet’s performance. Do citizens have the right to express their views? Of course, and they will also voice them independently, he emphasised.