Administrative and territorial structure of the state: peculiarities of constitutional regulation

The article provides a thorough analysis of the administrative and territorial structure as an integral part of the constitutional doctrine of the State. The author reveals the essence of the concept of administrative and territorial structure, emphasizing its importance for the formation of the unitary structure of Ukraine and ensuring territorial integrity. The author examines the problematic aspects of the current state of the territorial structure, in particular, the imbalance between the levels of administrative administration, uneven development of regions, and the consequences of the implementation of local self-government reforms. Attention is focused on the contradictions arising from the simultaneous implementation of centralization and decentralization processes, which require clearly regulated mechanisms at the legislative level. The issue of territorial unity as a basic principle of the functioning of a unitary state is highlighted separately. The article analyzes the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine on guaranteeing the inviolability of state borders, the impossibility of secession of individual territorial units from the state and the prohibition of the creation of sovereign entities within its territory. The author draws attention to the existing gaps in the legislation that impede the effective implementation of these provisions. A special place in the study is occupied by the international legal aspect of the protection of territorial integrity. It is noted that, despite the existence of domestic constitutional norms, current international treaties and acts are mostly advisory in nature and do not provide an adequate level of legal, military or economic guarantees to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty. In this regard, the author emphasizes the need to intensify international legal cooperation, improve existing international mechanisms, and develop new treaties that would contain clear guarantees of the territorial integrity of the State. As a result, the author formulates a number of practical recommendations for improving the administrative and territorial structure of Ukraine. In particular, the author suggests ways of legislative regulation of existing problems, strengthening of internal control mechanisms, and integration of international legal norms into the national system with a view to strengthening Ukraine’s position in the international arena and ensuring stable development of its regions.