2021 - Yuri Kostenko, Acceptance Speech, Peterson Literary Fund Translated Book Awards
Channel: Peterson Literary Fund
Date: 2024-01-19

UKRAINE'S NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT: A HISTORY
Translated from the original Ukrainian into English

Yuri Kostenko – Author
Svitlana Krasynsky, Lidia Wolanskyj, Olena Jennings – Translators
Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute Publications – Publisher

“In recognition of its historical documentary value and present-day relevance, providing insight into Ukraine's post-Soviet disarmament process, debunking myths promoted by Russia, and exposing critical strategic errors made by the West.”

In December 1994, Ukraine gave up the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world and signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, having received assurances that its sovereignty would be respected and secured by Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Written by former Ukrainian presidential candidate, former Environment Minister, parliamentarian, and pro-democracy activist Yuri Kostenko, and based on original and heretofore unavailable documents, the book offers an insider’s view of the domestic and foreign actors that played key roles during Ukraine’s disarmament process. In the aftermath of Russia’s forced annexation of Crimea, invasion of eastern Ukraine, and repeated attempts to destabilize Europe by threatening new military incursions into Ukraine, this book provides relevant insight into mistakes made during the denuclearization process and the strategic importance of Ukraine as a key player in global security.