The Position of Ukraine in the National Security Strategies of Neighboring States (2000-2024). Part 1.

This article offers a comprehensive analysis of the national security strategies of Ukraine’s neighboring countries from 2000 to 2024. It systematically examines key strategic documents from Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova, tracing the evolution of Ukraine’s role within their security perceptions and doctrines. The study highlights the dynamic and often volatile security landscape of Eastern Europe, with particular emphasis on the profound impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which has fundamentally reshaped the strategic outlook of Ukraine’s neighbors. A clear divergence in attitudes emerges: EU and NATO member states, along with Moldova, increasingly regard Ukraine as a vital partner and ally in ensuring regional security, whereas Russia and Belarus perceive Ukraine more as a source of threat or an object of influence rather than a genuine partner.Drawing on an extensive array of official documents – including national security strategies, defense concepts, and related policy papers – the research analyzes how shifting political and security realities are reflected in the official rhetoric and priorities of these states. The article details Poland’s strategic transformation, evolving from viewing Ukraine as a stabilizing partner to positioning it as a central actor in countering Russian aggression and safeguarding regional stability. Similarly, Romania’s documents progress from indirect references to Ukraine as a regional partner toward explicit endorsement of its European integration and a firm stance against Russian threats.In stark contrast, Russia’s national security strategies reveal a shift from early 2000s partnership rhetoric to overt hostility and justification for intervention post-2014, portraying Ukraine increasingly as a destabilizing factor and a geopolitical battleground with the West. Belarusian strategies, though less overt, reflect a gradual shift from pragmatic neighborly relations toward heightened focus on risks and challenges linked to Ukraine, especially amid worsening ties with NATO.The study further explores the nuanced positions of Slovakia and Hungary. Slovakia acknowledges emerging security challenges stemming from the Russian-Ukrainian conflict while maintaining support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Hungary, conversely, moves from unequivocal partnership to a more cautious stance, prioritizing the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine and conditioning its support for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration on the protection of these minority rights.Moldova’s perspective is also examined, illustrating Ukraine’s transition from a regional partner to a critical guarantor of Moldova’s national survival amid Russian threats.The article outlines key trends and risks impacting regional security and discusses their implications for Ukraine’s foreign and security policies. The findings underscore the necessity of understanding both the official strategic positions and their practical implementation. Ultimately, the study concludes that Ukraine’s role within the security frameworks of its neighbors has grown increasingly central – especially among EU and NATO countries – while Russia and Belarus have adopted progressively adversarial and interventionist policies. This research contributes valuable insights into the evolving security architecture of Eastern Europe and highlights Ukraine’s pivotal role within it.