Ukrainian civilians and troops at a checkpoint (Photo: Internet)

The new Ukrainian National Security Strategy has been approved by President Poroshenko since May 2015. This has been the first time Ukraine issued its national strategy since the country fell into crisis. Given the complicacy of the security situation both inside and outside the country, the strategy has attracted special attention of the international community.

Regarding its aims, the strategy looks for four main goals: firstly, minimizing threats to national sovereignty and providing for the country’s restoration of its territorial integrity; secondly, on the ground of stability, bringing about new quality for economic development and other human values; thirdly, gradually preparing for Ukrainian integration into the EU in the fields of economy, politics and military; fourthly, focusing all efforts on the recreation of peaceful development in Ukraine. To that end, the strategy states that all possible measures must be employed to protect the country’s territorial sovereignty in accordance with Ukrainian and international laws. Thereby, the Ukrainian state and economy must serve for its defence in order to defeat any foreign invasion of any kinds and scales.

The strategy pointed out that threats to the national security come from two main sources: internal and external threats. Regarding the external threats, though not mention directly, the strategy considers Russia as the “major enemy” of the country. This new view of object of defence and security is the most notable one among Ukrainian national security strategies ever since. Internal threats mentioned in the strategy are the ineffectiveness of the national security system and state management, rampant corruption, the exhaustion of resources, severe economic crisis, energy security, information security, ecological security and national technological security.

On assessing threats and the country’s potentialities, the strategy has decided on the main directions for Ukrainian security policy with primary priority given to the military-technique cooperation with NATO. Notably, German and France, the two countries in the Normandy Format with many initiatives in the resolution of Ukraine’s problems, are considered as partners but not “prioritized partners” as some other countries.

Besides, the strategy also regarded reforms in the armed forces as urgent tasks. Not only modernization of the armed forces, reforms in the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Council for Security and Intelligent are also mentioned in the strategy.

The strategy also drew out measures on energy security given the unreliable supply from Russia. It also discussed the struggle against corruption, the possibility of nuclear weapon development, time and financial allocation for implementing the strategy.

Immediately after the issue of the strategy, international public and politicians voiced different opinions. While some western politicians expressed satisfaction with the strategy, the majority was concerned about it. According to Kiev’s view, the biggest threat to Ukraine is Russia. However, in reality, millions of Ukrainian people are seeking asylum in Russia. This is so contradictory and unbelievable as people of an invaded country try to flee to their enemy’s land. According to Ms Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, in the present condition, only Russia can get Ukraine out of crisis. Russian President V. Putin  also stated that Russia is ready to help Ukraine as they are brothers. In reality, Russia has dispatched a number of humanitarian aid convoys to Donbass region of Ukraine.

According to international analysts, identifying threats and objects is one of the most important contents in national security strategy of any countries. To have an exact identification of the object and threat, it is necessary to have a thorough, objective, scientific and comprehensive evaluation. Otherwise, wrong directions will be resulted in. If this is the case, costly lessons are to be paid and Ukraine is not an exception.

Colonel Le The Mau