Ukraine against herself : to be Euro-Atlantic, Eurasian, or neutral? / by Jeffrey Simon.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Simon, Jeffrey, 1942-

Contributor:

National Defense University. Institute for National Strategic Studies

Series:

Strategic forum ; no. 238.

Strategic forum ; no. 238

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ukraine--Politics and government--1991-2014.

Ukraine.

Ukraine--Foreign relations--1991-2014.

Diplomatic relations.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (12 pages) : digital, PDF file.

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, [2009]

Summary:

Since independence, Ukrainians have been evenly split between those who desire to be part of the Euro-Atlantic (European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization) community and those who gravitate toward Eurasia (Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States). During the 1990s, when the European Union and NATO were focused on Central Europe and Russia was politically down and economically weak, Ukraine was able to have it both ways. Since the Orange Revolution, Ukraine has made significant progress developing a Euro-Atlantic style democratic political system, demonstrated a vibrant open media and civil society, and successfully advanced civilian oversight of its military. Despite this progress, Ukrainian opinion remains sharply divided on integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. Attempts by Ukrainian leaders and some current members of NATO to promote a Membership Action Plan have backfired. Not only has Russia, now more autocratic, responded with missile threats, cutting gas supplies, and meddling in Ukraine's domestic politics, but the crosscutting internal and external pressures are aggravating profound political instability, actually making Ukraine a less appealing candidate for membership in either the European Union or NATO. Under these circumstances, the challenge is to provide Ukraine sufficient time to consolidate successful democratic governance and develop domestic consensus on this critical strategic choice. Rather than pressing Ukraine toward early accession, the new U.S. administration should keep open the possibility of NATO membership, but for the time being encourage Ukraine to follow the model of Finland, another nonaligned Partner for Peace, as it attempts to reconcile the competing popular factions in the country and to navigate between its Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian neighbors. By nurturing its political stability, the United States will enhance Ukraine's value to the Alliance over the longer term.

Notes:

Title from title page of PDF document (viewed on: June 23, 2011).

"February 2009."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 10-11).

Electronic reproduction. [Place of publication not identified]: HathiTrust Digital Library. 2023.

Other Format:

Print version: Simon, Jeffrey, 1942- Ukraine against herself

Online version: Simon, Jeffrey, 1942- Ukraine against herself.

OCLC:

320411287

Access Restriction:

Approved for public release.

Use copy Restrictions unspecified