THE INFLUENCE OF RUSSIAN MILITARY AGGRESSION ON THE INTENSIFICATION OF COOPERATION BETWEEN NATO AND UKRAINE (2014 – 2018)

The military-political aspects of cooperation between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2014 – 2018 were examined, the alliance's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and the military-political organization's readiness to further develop political dialogue and practical cooperation were emphasized. The specifics of the relations between Ukraine and NATO in the circumstances of the modern Russian-Ukrainian war are analyzed, the priority tasks of bilateral relations, their influence on ensuring the national security of Ukraine and stability in Central and Eastern Europe, in general, are determined. The accent is placed on the fact that the events of 2014 (Revolution of Dignity, the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation, support for separatist movements in the eastern regions of Ukraine, etc.) consolidated Ukrainians. According to surveys, the vast majority of Ukrainians, for the first time since Ukraine's independence, advocated for our country's membership in NATO. It is noted that the leadership of the North Atlantic Alliance strongly condemned the invasion of Russian troops into the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and, during 2014-2018, provided systemic assistance to Ukraine through various programs of the Trust Funds. The dynamic of the military-political dialogue between Ukraine and NATO in recent years is considered. The author emphasizes the need to implement by the higher authorities those measures that will ensure Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance as soon as possible is emphasized.KeywordsNATO, Ukraine, military-political dialogue, Russian-Ukrainian war, national security.