This study is based on the issue that semantics, as an inalienable basis and component of any discourse, determine behavior of social agents, forming their values system, moral categories and worldview per se. The above-mentioned pictures of the world and perception models definitely exist both at the individual and group, intergroup, national and supranational levels, eventually creating the identity of political actors in all possible formats.
Therefore, the explanation of theoretical background of the concept of the semantic dimension of international conflict altogether with the study of the nature of the semantic component of respective narratives within the Russia-Ukraine international conflict have become the principle objectives of this dissertation thesis.
The "semantic dimension" of international conflict is understood hereunder as a complex of senses and interpretations applied by political actors as for the phenomena and processes of objective reality within their respective discursive practices, expressed in informational and psychological tools and techniques as the key elements of social and, in particular, international political communication, within the framework of such a conflict.
In this regard, the "Revolution of Dignity" in Ukraine is considered to be the starting point for a new national narrative, in which the renewed Ukrainian national identity is being formed. The latter has naturally replaced the old perception model on the part of the population of key parameters of their nation, as well as the place of Ukraine in the international arena. The Russian Federation, in its turn, after the "turning point" of the USSR collapse, has been seeking to restore the image of a mighty world nation-state, which has to be respected, even despite the norms and principles of international law.
Thus, it can be stated that this dissertation is a systematizing and generalized contribution to the relatively rarely studied subject within the limits of Ukrainian political thought. It contains, altogether with the basic theoretical and conceptual framework on the nature of the semantics of international conflict per se, also an overview of the semantic field of information-psychological tools used by the parties in the context of the Russia-Ukraine international conflict. The research of the diverse discursive practices of the Russian Federation and Ukraine demonstrated the draws and advantages in the approaches of these states to the realization of their own information-psychological, religious and, in particular, semantic politics.
It is also proved within the framework of the thesis that the ontological security factor leads to respective discursive and behavioral practices of the parties within the framework of the current interaction as between Ukraine and Russia. Moreover, the main problem for the theoretical and practical solution to the abovementioned dynamics is understood in the strong attachment of both parties to conflict interaction, which significantly impedes the development and, in particular, the implementation of settlement mechanisms of the Russia-Ukraine international conflict at this historic phase.
That is why, it is proposed in a form of recommendations to initiate the development of narrative mediation mechanisms for establishing the conditions for a gradual reframing of the parties’ positions, which will make it possible to bring their discursive practices closer to the effective settlement of the current Russia-Ukraine international conflict.
