METATHEORETICAL APPROACH TO THE ANALYSIS OF EURO-ATLANTIC SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
Abstract
The article explores the metatheoretical approach as a promising methodological basis for analyzing Ukraine’s foreign policy support from the Euro-Atlantic community in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war. It is emphasized that the current Russian-Ukrainian war cannot be adequately interpreted within the boundaries of a single theoretical paradigm. Accordingly, the author substantiates the relevance of applying a metatheoretical framework that combines neorealism, liberalism, and constructivism within a complementary analysis. This allows for a comprehensive coverage of the security, institutional, and value-based dimensions of Euro-Atlantic support for Ukraine. The article justifies the integration of selected elements from these theories within metatheoretical, complementary, and synthetic approaches. It proposes the use of models such as the three-level analysis of foreign policy, the concept of complex interdependence, and the moral-evaluative approach to foreign policy in analyzing specific cases of Euro-Atlantic support for Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to empirical examples of metatheoretical frameworks in the works of both Ukrainian and foreign scholars, which demonstrates their practical value for a deeper understanding of the interconnection between political decisions, value-based motivation, and institutional solidarity. The article also argues that the metatheoretical approach is an effective tool for researching complex international processes unfolding during modern warfare. It enables the integration of empirical analysis with critical reflection on theoretical foundations, making the research relevant to both scholars and foreign policy practitioners.The study contributes to the theoretical comprehension of the phenomenon of comprehensive assistance to Ukraine in countering Russian aggression and substantiates the application of integrative approaches to the study of international interaction in conditions of global conflicts. The results can be used for further scenario analysis and the development of policy recommendations for decision-makers shaping foreign policy in similar crisis situations.
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