Problems of Ukraine’s Military Integration into European Security Structures

After obtaining its independence, Ukraine, like other post-Soviet states, has faced the problem of its geopolitical orientation. This issue is the hardest and most significant for any state. It is of particular significance for Ukraine as a country that lies at the watershed of two civilizations: Western and Eastern. Unquestionably, Ukraine views its historical path of development as that of a European state and relates itself to European integration. However, Ukraine comes from the Eurasian empire that was first called the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union. Therefore, Ukraine’s European future will depend not only on how fast it can adapt to European structures but also on how well it can use the potential created by its old links with Russia and the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).