Publisher's Synopsis
This study provides a clear analysis of both the domestic and foreign policy and security issues confronting Russia's largest and most important neighbour during its first decade as an independent state. Solchanyk emphasizes throughout 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 will influence the direction of Russia's own transformation. 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 largely be 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.
