THE ROLE AND PLACE OF UKRAINE IN THE SECURITY POLICY OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

Abstract

The endogenous factors of influence on the formation of the concept of state security of the Republic of Poland are clarified. The role and place of Ukraine in the security policy of the Republic of Poland is determined. It is proved that the fundamental factor shaping Poland’s security is its strong integration into transatlantic and European structures, as well as the development of bilateral and regional cooperation with key partners, including Ukraine. In this context, considerable attention is paid to measures to strengthen Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and to support its aspirations for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The new geopolitical reality caused by Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine in 2014 has made significant adjustments to Poland’s security policy. Since then, national security has played a dominant role in the bilateral agenda. It is determined that Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine did not lead to the adoption of any operational and tactical documents in Poland, a kind of “road map” that would reflect approaches to the implementation of strategic partnership in the new conditions. Instead, depending on the course of political events, a number of documents were adopted at the legislative level, which further defined the areas of strategic cooperation between the two countries. The Polish Republic remains a major logistic hub for Ukraine’s international support in the fight against Russia. Its role in supporting Ukraine is crucial. The partnership between Poland and Ukraine is symmetrical and depends to a large extent on Ukraine’s initiatives aimed at ensuring its own security and, consequently, security in the region. It is about Ukraine’s initiatives to provide military assistance.