This report analyses Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council and its role, resources and capabilities, and reputation against the background of its organisational development over the past 30 years. The purpose of the report is to increase knowledge about how Ukraine coordinates security and defense policy issues. Crises and wars have shaped the Security Council into the body it is today. Russia's war on Ukraine has highlighted the importance of national security policy planning and coordination. The war has also forced the Council to prioritise and urgently address defense-related issues over matters not explicitly related to the war, while simultaneously increasing the need for confidentiality. Under Zelenskyi's leadership, the Council has expanded in scope, both in terms of its resources, including the number of members, and the staff of its secretariat. The secretariat exhibits a broad capacity for analysis and policy support. At the same time, the war has profoundly worsened the conditions for Ukrainian authorities and governmental bodies, and the war is adding pressure to the already strained economic circumstances. The Council's use of sanctions is controversial. This reveals a need for a clearer definition of the concepts of coordination and control, both of which are fundamental to the Council's main tasks. Personnel changes can also affect the Council's repute, as staff rotations can be perceived as seeking to elevate the Council's competence both by recruiting new talents as well as by laying off unfit personnel.