Russianization of Ukrainian National Security Policy under Viktor Yanukovych

Русификация политики национальной безопасности Украины при Викторе Януковиче
Taras Kuzio
2012-10-01

Party of RegionsUkrainian national security policyViktor Yanukovychauthoritarian neo-Soviet political culturesiloviki
Since Viktor Yanukovych's election in 2010, Ukraine's politics and national security policies have become increasingly similar to those in Russia under Vladimir Putin. The influence of the siloviki in Ukraine is at its greatest, parliament is marginalized for the first time and the country's democratization is under threat. These policies are a product of the authoritarian neo-Soviet political culture in the Party of Regions and unreformed siloviki, such as the Security Service (SBU), and with the goal of preventing a second Orange Revolution. Ukraine is also different from Russia in terms of the inability of the ruling party to use nationalism, weak national resources and regional diversity.
1
A central objective of these policies was preventing a second Orange Revolution.
2
Since Viktor Yanukovych’s 2010 election, Ukraine’s political and national security policies have increasingly converged with Russia’s under Vladimir Putin.
3
The influence of Ukraine’s siloviki reached its strongest level, while parliament became marginalized and democratic development faced serious threats.
4
The policy shift was driven by the authoritarian neo-Soviet political culture of the Party of Regions and unreformed security institutions, including the SBU.
5
Ukraine’s trajectory differed from Russia’s because the ruling party could not effectively employ nationalism, national resources were weaker, and regional diversity remained greater.

Ukrainian national security policy under Viktor Yanukovych

The Russianization of Ukraine’s national security policy, including the growing influence of the siloviki, parliamentary marginalization, threats to democratization, and authoritarian mechanisms aimed at preventing a second Orange Revolution

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2012-10-01
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Taras Kuzio
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