Military Cooperation of Ukraine and the Baltic States (1991-2017)

Ruslana Martseniuk

Ph.D (history), Post-Doctoral FellowTaras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

UDС 327.57:355(1991–2017)

DOI http://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2017.08.165-220

Abstract

The article analyzes the main stages of military cooperation between Ukraine and the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) from the establishment of diplomatic relations after the collapse of the USSR and to this day. The reasons for the activation of the mentioned cooperation in the conditions of the crisis of the international security system, which is connected with Russian aggression and violation of international security agreements. Today, in order to counteract the armed aggression in the militarization of the Russian Federation, one of the most urgent areas for ensuring Ukraine’s military security is the following: effective use of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with partners and allies in the military sphere; implementation of standards and principles of NATO member states; involvement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the international operations of NATO and the EU. So today in the conditions of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine and the threat of security and tranquility in Europe, the Baltic countries provide Ukraine with military and economic assistance both within NATO and on a bilateral basis. This is the supply of ammunition that the Ukrainian Armed Forces needs in the forefront and assistance in the treatment and rehabilitation of our wounded soldiers and active assistance in providing professional advisers for military affairs and tactical medicine. The security dimension of relations between our countries is also the creation of a unique international military formation of LITPOLUKRBRIG, which practically allows us to work out our military interoperability and compatibility and is one of the largest and ambitious military cooperation projects.

Keywords

National security, military security, military cooperation, security challenges, Russian aggression, Baltic countries, Ukraine.

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