Prohovnyk P. International military cooperation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Russian aggression (2014-2021): Historical Context

The research on the international military cooperation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine attracts the interest of professional historians as a scientific problem caused by the context of the current Russo-Ukrainian war. The Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which began in February 2014 and led to the annexation of Crimea and occupation of part of eastern Ukrainian regions, has significantly strengthened Ukrainian international military cooperation. The brutal violation of the international security system in Europe and a real threat of further Russian expansion on the continent have received condemnation from the world community and prompted many governments to provide military assistance to Ukraine which became a victim of the aggression. This process took place mainly by entering into bilateral agreements of Ukraine with individual NATO member states: the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and other countries. The results of the research can also serve as a basis for an in-depth theoretical study of the history of the Russo-Ukrainian war. The dissertation creates prospects for a further scientific study of different forms of the military cooperation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the international arena: joint military exercises, training military missions, international peacekeeping activities, partnership in modernizing and developing the domestic military-industrial complex, and academic military cooperation. A general conclusion of the thesis emphasizes that the international military cooperation during the Russo-Ukrainian war is the driving force of Ukraine's movement towards gaining NATO membership and accession to the European Union; that international military cooperation is a significant factor in achieving the future Victory of the Armed Forces of Ukraine over the Russian aggressor. Keywords: international military cooperation, Russo-Ukrainian war, Armed Forces of Ukraine, international military exercises, international training missions, international peace support operations, Russian aggression, North Atlantic Alliance, operational capabilities, interoperability.