The visit of Tonis Saar, Director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), to Kyiv International Cyber resilience forum marked a significant milestone in deepening strategic partnership and recognizing that Ukraine’s experience in countering modern threats serves as a foundation for shaping new global cybersecurity standards. The working program was aimed at building a comprehensive system of cooperation – ranging from operational coordination to scientific collaboration.
The basis for further strengthening ties was established through meetings with representatives of Ukraine’s security and defense sector. During talks with the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the National Cyber Security Coordination Center (NCSCC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the parties discussed practical aspects of ongoing interaction, focusing on the exchange of expertise and technological solutions that have already proven their effectiveness in real-world conditions as well as joint opportunities for the development of cyber diplomacy cooperation.
The meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister, Chief Digital Transformation Officer concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the NATO CCDCOE.
Saar also visited the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where discussions took place regarding joint opportunities for the development of cooperation in the field of diplomatic training and professional development. This approach allows for the alignment of Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts with the Centre’s expertise to protect national interests in cyberspace.
The concluding stage of the Director’s stay in Kyiv was a meeting with Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU), Director of the Institute for Information Recording of the NASU, and Director of the Pukhov Institute for Modelling in Energy Engineering of the NASU. The agreement on strategic cooperation with the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine underscores the parties’ intent to develop a partnership based on fundamental research and innovation. The results of the visit confirm a high level of trust and a mutual understanding that Ukrainian expertise is critical for the resilience of the entire Euro-Atlantic community.