UKRAINE’S NEW MILITARY DOCTRINE REVIEWED AT THE TOP.

Ukraine’s top political and military leaders conferred November 28 on the country’s draft military doctrine and the plan for the modernization of its armed forces. President Leonid Kuchma reportedly criticized the government for underfinancing the forces and slowing down military reform. Kuchma was said to blame the shortcomings on an unclear distribution of functions between the civilian minister and the general staff. Yet the predominant message, delivered by defense minister Valeri Shmarov, was that Ukraine’s military is "ready to successfully carry out any tasks put before it." (15) Denuclearization, the fulfillment of CFE obligations, the situation of the Black Sea Fleet, and particularly the implications arising from the perceived security vacuum are the main challenges to the country’s military security today.

Moldovan President Losing Hope in Russian Troop Withdrawal.