The Ukrainian Military: Instrument for Defense or Domestic Challenge?
Abstract
The Ukrainian army is no longer perceived to be a security challenge as it was during the first stages of the Ukraine's independence. Rather, Ukraine's leadership is primarily concerned with strengthening the army's ability to guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. The Ukrainian army continues to present a challenge to national interests. In addition to the army's inability to defend the Ukraine from outside military aggression, it also poses the challenge of weapons proliferation and miniaturization of the economy, and a growing dependence on Russia, both as a security partner and as a purveyor of social welfare needs. In these ways the Ukrainian military endangers the society it is meant to protect. The Ukrainian government must recognize that while military cooperation with Russia is more lucrative than military confrontation, there are still basic needs that is must provide to the army to prevent over-reliance on its big neighbor. Political and civil control of the military must concentrate on the more acute problems, to include lawlessness, black marketeering, and collaboration with paramilitary forces. This can be accomplished by simultaneously strengthening civil control over the military, and increasing the army's reputation and prestige within society.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA365546
Entities
People
- Oleg Strekal
Organizations
- United States Air Force Academy