Canada’s Potential for Leadership in the Post-War Reconstruction of Ukraine

Charles Tilly’s apt statement that “war created the state, and the state created war” succinctly describes the impact of wartime constraints on shaping and accelerating institutional reforms in modern states. Conflict acts as a catalyst: it requires state institutions to either mobilize or die. According to Tilly’s formula, the deadly threats posed by the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Russia’s (re)invasion in 2022 have necessitated a global modernization of Ukraine’s public administration system.

Over the past eight years, Ukraine has successfully shed its post-Soviet legacy while rebuilding itself for a more liberal and democratic future. Canada, along with its Western allies, has played an important role in consolidating these long-term gains in Eastern Europe.

Canada and other supporters of the Ukrainian war effort must begin to build the architecture for the peace that will eventually come after the war. Regardless of what the final territory under Kyiv’s authority will be at the time of a future peace agreement, a proactive commitment to Ukraine’s integration should be realized through a comprehensive post-war reconstruction and assistance package. Canada’s technical expertise and leadership on this front can help rebuild Ukraine quickly, coordinate allied resources, facilitate the return of displaced citizens, strengthen the rules-based international order, and enhance Canada’s position in NATO and other multinational organizations.

Source: https://ras-nsa.ca/canadas-potential-for-leadership-in-the-post-war-reconstruction-of-ukraine/