Rechych S. Military-Political Cooperation between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and NATO (1991-2009)

This dissertation was authored in support of a scientific degree of candidate of sciences (History) 20.02.22 - Military history. - The National Defence University of Ukraine, Kyiv, 2012. Based on the author's research, a comprehensive study was conducted which identified four stages of Military-Political Cooperation (MPC) between Ukraine/Armed Forces of (AFU) and NATO during the period of 1991-2009. This study identified several trends that included: the increased efficiency level of cooperation through the use of established and new mechanisms and programs of cooperation; the gradual change in the nature of relations from the initial forms of cooperation to the level of partnership and, then to the prospects of NATO membership; and the intensification of cooperation in the areas that directly affect the development of the AFU through compliance with the standards for military development of NATO member countries. MPC is defined as a system of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO in the sphere of security and defense. Objective and subjective factors that influenced the formation and development of MPC between Ukraine and its Armed Forces with NATO were founded and priorities for cooperation were defined for the study's researched time period. In particular, the study highlights the process of formation and development of MPC of the AFU with NATO, and its effectiveness and value to improve the level of preparedness of the AFU's command and control elements and the combat efficiency/effectiveness of the AFU's units. In the process of conducting research, the practical results of MPC of the AFU with NATO were identified. These included: the intensification of cooperation activities; the introduction of a positive experience of member-countries of the Alliance towards the development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces; the achievement by UAF individual units of operational, technical and administrative interoperability with NATO; the expansion of language training programs and the professional education and training of civilian and military personnel; optimization of the military educational system; establishment of an efficient defense planning system; the introduction of a systematic procedure for social adaptation and retraining of retired military personnel; decontamination of polluted areas; disposal of obsolete weapons; improvement of the system of management, unit training and logistical support which positively affected the individual units to increase the combat readiness of the UAF; and the implementation of the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine. Based upon the results of the study, the following recommendations are made: the need to transform the AFU into a professional force and the need to create a lessons learned system of cooperation between the AFU and NATO. Key words: Military-Political Cooperation, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, NATO-Ukraine Action Plan, Individual Partnership Programme, Planning and Reviewe Process, Operational Capabilities Concept.