The study "West-gravitating strategic reorientation of Ukraine as a key factor of Central European security" conducted by NISS scientists, together with experts from the Institute of Central Europe (Poland) in 2024, identifies challenges and opportunities for Ukraine and Central Europe in the context of European integration. The results of the study, published in the policy paper, note that sustained international support for Ukraine's security and defence sector in the medium term will contribute to achieving such interrelated goals as ensuring stable socio-economic recovery of Ukraine and deterring the threat of renewed russian aggression.
The study highlights the priorities of security factors in Ukrainian society and economy. For the development of the domestic defence and industrial complex, it is necessary to ensure greater synergy with NATO partners. It is important to accelerate technological changes based on the use of modern energy-saving technologies in the most competitive sectors of the Ukrainian economy. Stimulating the development of industrial clusters in cross-border regions will contribute to the creation of jobs in the areas of infrastructure, green economy, defence industry, and will also stimulate an increase the population mobility. The restoration of de-occupied territories should take place taking into account security realities, local identity, cultural heritage, economic specialization, and humanitarian needs of the population.
The study presents Ukraine's unique experience in responding to the challenges of energy infrastructure destruction and ensuring energy supply to consumers in the context of an on-going war. The authors of the policy paper note the need to develop and implement strategies for the resilience of critical infrastructure, including decentralization of energy production, development of alternative energy sources, and improvement of public-private partnerships in this area.
The results of the study confirm the need to strengthen multi-level interaction between the countries of Central Europe and Ukraine in the humanitarian and economic spheres. It is advisable to use interregional and cross-border cooperation to implement joint projects and initiatives, and coordinate risk management.
Ukraine’s relations with NATO have evolved over the past decades from a Partnership for Peace to an Enhanced Opportunities Partnership in 2020. Until formal membership of Ukraine in NATO becomes possible, the country may adopt a security model somewhat similar to Israel’s, relying on strong bilateral agreements and self-defence capabilities.
The authors of the policy paper note the need to increase labour productivity in the agricultural sector, develop the sphere of agricultural processing, increase the production of goods with high added value, and use the created Black Sea maritime corridors to stabilize trade. The study notes that a serious challenge to ensuring sustainable European integration progress of Ukraine is the problem of effective use of human potential. In general, the authors of the policy paper note the need to ensure security, promote employment restructuring, increase territorial and professional mobility of workers, create conditions for the effective use of skills and qualifications, and develop public-private partnerships.
“West-gravitating strategic reorientation of Ukraine as a key factor of Central European security”, Institute of Central Europe Policy Papers, No. 10/2024 // Edited by Jacub Olchowski, Beata Surmacz. Lublin 2024.
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