In today's global society, the European Union faces new opportunities as well as new dangers. Political, social and technological developments have created a fluid security environment where risks and vulnerabilities are more diverse and less visible. Ukraine, as a European country, plays a critical role in European security while not being the member of EU; the EU and Ukraine need each other principally in the security sector. A better understanding of security systems and approaches in EU, and also in Ukraine, will serve to produce a more reliable security system. The EU is making firm steps to bring Ukraine closer to EU, and the establishment of a European Security Research Programme (ESRP), from 2007 onwards, is a major contribution towards the achievement of this objective. Ukraine's integration into European security research programmes will stimulate the development of new approaches and technologies in the security sector, which will ultimately provide a more secure environment in the whole of Europe, including Ukraine.