NATO-Ukraine Strategic Communications: Theory and Practice

Abstract

The article deal with the research of Strategic Communications of NATO as one of the main directions of the Alliance's policy. The author considers various approaches to the interpretation of the essence, content, and tools of Strategic Communications. At the same time, he focuses attention on the teleological and axiological aspects of the communication process and, on this basis, offers his own definition of the concept of “NATO Strategic Communications”. Based on the definite theoretical foundation, the author analyses the practice of NATO Strategic Communications in the Ukrainian case. The development of NATO-Ukraine Strategic Communications is divided into two stages. The first stage (1991-2013) is characterized as the gradual implementation of the so-called Master Plan. This general plan of communications aimed to stimulate political reforms in Ukraine in accordance with the democratic values of the Alliance and to contribute to the restructuring of the Ukrainian military system bringing it closer to NATO standards. The main institutions and tools of NATO-Ukraine Strategic Communication are gradually being formed at this stage. The second stage (2014-present) is defined as the stage of crisis Strategic Communications. This stage began after the annexation of Crimea during Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine initially, and it reaches the highest phase beginning from February 24, 2022 – after a full-scale brutal Russian aggression. During this phase, both internal and external NATO Strategic Communications aim to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine and organize fruitful interaction to ensure its victory. At this stage, all existing and newly created institutions and tools are used with maximum effort. But the key problem of NATO-Ukraine Strategic Communications still lies in the parties’ different understanding of the purpose of this communications. For Ukraine, it means joining Alliance as a full-rights member, and for NATO – keeping Ukraine close to the Alliance as a reliable partner. The further perspective of NATO-Ukraine Strategic Communications requires solving this problem and providing Ukraine with clear guarantees of membership in the Alliance after its victory and the settlement of peace.