Publication

This publication discusses the factors which Ukrainians believe influenced the appointment of Yevhen Marchuk as defense minister. The author argues that putting aside Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma's political motivations (re-election aspirations and the desire for closer ties with the West and NATO) Marchuk is capable of achieving real, though limited, military reforms given the financial constraints. The publication concludes that if he is successful in implementing successful reform the response of NATO will be watched carefully by Ukrainian policymakers.