After that, it was probably impossible to avoid it. Because of the processes in Russia that we could not fully realise until a certain point – until February 24.
And yes. Even after 2014, the Ukrainian state apparatus was far from perfect and not as effective as it was in terms of the level of threats. And it is our good fortune that Putin's Russia has only degraded over the past 8 years.
In addition, we started the path to reforms and changes when Crimea was occupied and the hybrid war began.
So could we have been better prepared? Tactically, yes, in some places, strategically, no. It was impossible to build a competitive navy or air force, or air defence. It was also impossible to establish mass (not piecemeal) production of new weapons.
«So could we have been better prepared? Tactically, yes, in some places, strategically, no. It was impossible to build a competitive navy or air force, or air defence. It was also impossible to establish mass (not piecemeal) production of new weapons»
The real tragedy was the wrong choice, the choice to sit on two chairs in the 1990s and early 2000s.
It was then that the necessary structural reforms were not carried out.
It was then that we, as a country, flirted with Russia instead of choosing the EU.
It was then that the country embarked on the path of degradation and destruction of the army, which stopped only in 2014 with the outbreak of war.
It was then that the actual autonomization of the elites of Crimea and partially Donbas was allowed.
«The 2004 Maidan offered a chance, but it was not used properly. Especially in terms of economic reforms»
The 2004 Maidan offered a chance, but it was not used properly. Especially in terms of economic reforms. The result was 4 years of destruction of the state by Kremlin agents from 2010 to 2014.
What is the lesson? After the Victory, all efforts should be devoted to reforming the state apparatus and public institutions.
This requires common sense, which a large part of Ukrainian society has carried through this year of full-scale war.
We have no right to repeat those stupid years.
About the author. Yuriy Bohdanov, publicist, specialist in strategic communications in business, public administration and politics
The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs