The role of local self-government in the reintegration of the de-occupied territories of Ukraine

The article examines the role and significance of local self-government in countering Russian aggression in modern conditions, as well as in the prospective harmonious reintegration of the de-occupied territories of Ukraine and ensuring sustainable national stability. The author’s vision of the system of national strength of Ukraine as a complex of various interconnected elements, which in their totality are able to ensure the detection of threats to national statehood and civil society, is formulated, their differentiation according to the importance and priority of response, permanent monitoring of threats according to their evolution, elimination of the indicated threats to sustainable development. It has been established that the reintegration of the de-occupied territories of Ukraine will be a significant challenge to the national system of state strength. The thoughtfulness of this process, the identification of key problems and obstacles to the effective reintegration of the de-occupied territories, the elimination of security, economic, social, political, legal, spiritual-ideological, cultural- educational, environmental, infrastructural and other obstacles to the organic reintegration of the de-occupied territories of Ukraine will have a profound impact on the national system of strength both on a state scale and on a local scale. It was concluded that the functioning of local self-government based on the principle of subsidiarity in relation to the reintegration of de­occupied territories is the most effective direction for the successful harmonious reunification of previously occupied territories with Ukraine. It is argued that the main emphasis in the field of reintegration of de-occupied territories should be aimed at people living or returning or settling in such de-occupied territories. It is the context of the organic unification of people around the values of the cultural, economic, social, political, spiritual and ideological life of Ukraine after deoccupation that should fill municipal and state policy. This approach of active municipal policy combined with state support based on taking into account local needs, requests and features of the de-occupied territories will ensure their formalization, sustainable recovery and subsequent prosperity.