Ukraine and Russia: The Post-Soviet Transition / Edition 256

by Roman Solchanyk

Overview

This timely study provides a clear analysis of both the domestic and foreign policies and security issues confronting Russia's largest and most important neighbor during its first decade as an independent state. Roman Solchanyk emphasizes throughout the book, the complex, centuries-old Ukrainian-Russian relationship, which is so central that the 'Russian question' plays the determining role in Ukraine's foreign and domestic politics. In turn, the policy choices of Ukraine's leaders influence the direction of Russia's own transformation. The book opens with a conceptual framework that addresses the key issues of the Ukrainian-Russian relationship. The initial chapters illustrate how relations between Kyiv and Moscow changed_in the final analysis, dramatically_under the conditions of a crumbling and ultimately collapsing Soviet state. This is followed by a discussion of how the 'Russian question' influences Ukraine's internal developments_political, social, and economic_as well as its behavior in the international arena. The concluding chapters focus specifically on Crimea, a microcosm of the Ukrainian-Russian relationship. Basing his argument on a wealth of primary source material, the author argues that the success of both Ukraine's and Russia's nation- and state-building projects will be largely determined by the normalization of their historically conditioned relationship. Indeed, success or failure will profoundly influence the direction of regional and European foreign policy and security.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742510180
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/13/2000
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.54(d)

About the Author

Roman Solchanyk is a consultant at the RAND Corporation.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 A Framework for Discussion, or K Postanovke Problemy Chapter 3 Ukraine, Russia, and the Center Chapter 4 After the Fall Chapter 5 Problems of Transition, Dilemmas of Security Chapter 6 Foreign and Security Policy: Looking West, Watching East Chapter 7 State and Society Chapter 8 Regions and Nations Chapter 9 The Crimean Imbroglio I: Kyiv and Moscow Chapter 10 The Crimean Imbroglio II: Kyiv and Simferopol Chapter 11 Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

Timely, ably written, and factually rich.. .. The volume provides excellent material for courses covering problems of postcommunist countries. Highly recommended.

Choice Reviews

Solchanyk's study is a welcome addition to the growing English-language literature on modern Ukraine, not least because it is the first to concentrate on the all-important bilateral relationship between Ukraine and Russia. It does so in an informative and illuminating fashion.

Seer

This is a balanced portrayal of two countries trying to come to terms with each other's independence. This is far from a finished process. Solchanyk's book enables us to understand why.

Europe-Asia Studies

Stands out for its detailed reconstruction of unfolding events, particularly those involving Crimea. Solchanyk enriches the picture by including other dimensions of Ukrainian policy, including the preferred but elusive option of turning toward the West and the burden imposed by Ukraine's domestic failings.

Foreign Affairs

The book does an admirable job of discussing the issues surrounding the Ukrainian-Russian relationship.

Political Science Quarterly

Impressive scholarly achievement.

Canadian Slavonic Papers

Timely, ably written, and factually rich.. .. The volume provides excellent material for courses covering problems of postcommunist countries. Highly recommended.

Choice

Timely, ably written, and factually rich.. .. The volume provides excellent material for courses covering problems of postcommunist countries. Highly recommended.

CHOICE

Provides a clear analysis of both the domestic and foreign policies and security issues confronting Russia's largest neighbor during its first decade as an independent state. Offers a conceptual framework that addresses key issues of the Ukrainian-Russian relationship, and illustrates how relations changed under the conditions of a crumbling Soviet state. Discusses how the "Russian question" influences Ukraine's internal developments as well as its behavior in the political arena, and looks at conditions in Crimea. The author is a consultant at the RAND Corporation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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