THE PARTICIPATION OF THE UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES IN THE PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

The main historical and contemporary participation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in peacekeeping operations are described. The key notions of peacekeeping are defined showing this definition as the main rational tool for preventing and resolving disputes, threats, conflicts at the national, regional and global levels is the modern peacekeeping system. The main laws of Ukraine concerning peacekeeping operations are characterized with defining objectives for these operations. The attention is focused on the Ukraine’s participation in different international peacekeeping operations including 26 operations which ended and 8 ongoing operations. An important aspect of Ukraine’s participation in peacekeeping on the African continent is its coordinated actions with the United Nations on the diplomatic settlement of conflicts and the adherence to official statements regarding them. Peacekeeping missions are currently operating in Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan (Darfur and Juba) and other African countries. In particular, these are peacekeeping missions such as: the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the UN Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI), the African Union – United Nations Operation in Darfur (UNAUMID), the UN peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), demilitarization and peacekeeping in the disputed area of Abyei (UNISFA), the UN Mission in the Republic of Southern Sudan (UNMISS), UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSCA). Ukrainian peacekeeping potential is analysed. Participation of the armed forces of Ukraine in peacekeeping operations of the United Nations is one of the priority foreign policy tasks of our state, successful implementation of which positively influences strengthening of the national authority of Ukraine, promotes development of cooperation with Euro-Atlantic and regional security structures and has an exceptional significance for the national interests of our country. Ukraine claims to be a full-fledged subject of international relations, increases its credibility and demonstrates a peaceful policy.


INTRODUCTION
The issues of peace and security are fundamental problems of international affairs of the modern world. Under the conditions of globalization, the existence of powerful weapons of mass destruction, the serious threats of human civilization and the tendency towards the expansion of local conflicts of peacekeeping and reconciliation of the warring peoples are seen as a guarantee of global development. International institutions, foundations and specialist universities are engaged in the maintenance of peace, but the problem is far from the solution.
The settlement of military conflicts, which in modern conditions have become multi-faceted, complex, determines not only by humanitarian considerations. The extraordinary conflicts of anthropogenic origin pose a threat to peace and operate in a decentralized manner on the overall economic and political level of the countries and of the entire regions. In this regard, the scientific analysis of the international legal systems of the peacekeeping force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the form of international structures and the elaboration of proposals for its implementation is of particular importance.
The main rational tool for preventing and resolving disputes, threats, conflicts at the national, regional and global levels is the modern peacekeeping system. The term «peacekeeping» refers to peacekeeping and security operations, which at the end of the twentieth century have gained some kind of activation and are one of the forms of cooperation between the countries of the world and international organizations in matters of peace and security.
The aim of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of regional peacekeeping activities in support of international peace and security in African countries.
Theoretical The study is carried out using a set of methods. The most important are: the method of scientific abstraction, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, combination of historical and logical approaches, quantitative analysis, systematic approach, specific research methods.

THE RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH
There is no single definition of the concepts of «peacekeeping», «peacekeeping activity» and «peacekeeping operations». According to the UN Charter, peacekeeping is an action aimed at reaching parties to a conflict of agreement, using mainly peaceful means provided for by the UN Charter (inspection, mediation, reconciliation, arbitration, etc.) [4].
In the Law of Ukraine «On Ukraine's Participation in International Peacekeeping Operations», international peacekeeping operations are considered as international actions or measures taken by decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, the OSCE, and other regional organizations that bear responsibility in the field of maintenance international peace and security [6].
The Law of Ukraine «On Ukraine's Participation in International Peacekeeping Operations» defines the following objectives for peacekeeping:  prevention of occurrence of interstate or internal conflicts;  settlement or creation of conditions for settling interstate as well as internal conflicts with the consent to the parties of the conflict or by using coercive measures under the decision of the Security Council, which may include monitoring and monitoring compliance with cease-fire and other hostile acts, unity of conflicting parties, disarmament and disbandment of their units, execution of engineering and other works;  providing humanitarian assistance to people who have suffered from interstate or internal conflicts;  execution of police functions to ensure security and respect for human rights;  helping to overcome the consequences of conflicts;  Removing a threat to peace, violations of peace or an act of aggression [6]. Ukraine's participation in peacekeeping and security operations began with the Verkhovna Rada approval of the Resolution No. 2538-XII of July 3, 1992 «On the Participation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Conflict Areas in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia» [7].
Since 1992, more than 44 000 Ukrainian servicemen have taken part in international peacekeeping operations, 54 of whom have been killed. At present, the Ukrainian Armed Forces take part in 8 international peacekeeping operations in 6 countries of the world and the Abyei region [2].
The Armed Forces of Ukraine participated in 26 international peacekeeping operations, which ended: 1) «United Nations Protection Force» (July 1992 -December 1995), Yugoslavia (amount: 753, dead: 15). Ukraine's participation in peace-keeping and security operations began with the participation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces battalions in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in conflict zones in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. The main tasks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this peacekeeping operation were: provision of convoys with a cargo of humanitarian assistance to the local population; assistance in the cessation of hostilities and the normalization of the situation; patrolling in areas of responsibility [7]; 2) «UN Mission in Tajikistan observing the development of a security situation in the buffer zone; collection and analysis of information; control over observance of human rights; assistance in providing humanitarian assistance; providing constant communication with local authorities, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations; performance of other tasks according to occupied positions [10]; g) «United Nations Interim Force for Security in Abiey» (from 2012), Abyei district (amount: 6, dead: 0). Tasks of national personnel: monitoring compliance with the Agreement between the Government of Southern Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on interim procedures for the management and security of the area; patrol zone of responsibility, collection and analysis of information; control over movement of troops (forces) and population; monitoring the process of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation of all members of armed groups; control over observance of human rights; assistance in providing humanitarian assistance; providing constant communication with local authorities, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations; performance of other tasks according to occupied positions; h) NATO Training and Advisory Mission «Strong Support» in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan» (from 2015), Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (amount: 11, dead: 0). Tasks of national personnel: conducting engineering exploration of traffic, objects and terrain; engineering support of automobile column movement in the area of responsibility; carrying out measures to counteract the use of improvised explosive devices and to dispose of explosive objects; alternation in the composition of the forces of a consolidated rapid reaction unit; provision of advisory assistance to the Afghan National Army personnel on training in mine clearance specialists and specialists in general engineering; planning and implementation of measures to ensure the safety and protection of certain military personnel (including VIP support). The main tasks identified are: training for the Afghan army and police; Assist the Government of Afghanistan in developing the legal system of the state; ensuring the safety of military personnel and civilian personnel of countries participating in the mission [1], [3].

CONCLUSIONS AND PROSPECTS OF FURTHER RESEARCH
Thus, significant Ukrainian peacekeeping potential, together with the acquired peacekeeping experience, attracts the attention of leading Western countries and international organizations to cooperation with Ukraine on such an important issue, which in turn compensates for the negative political factors that have arisen around our country in recent years.
Participation of the armed forces of Ukraine in peacekeeping operations of the United Nations is one of the priority foreign policy tasks of our state, successful implementation of which positively influences strengthening of the national authority of Ukraine, promotes development of cooperation with Euro-Atlantic and regional security structures and has an exceptional significance for the national interests of our country. Involvement of Ukraine in international peacekeeping operations of international organizations contributes to increasing the role of our state among the member states and strengthening its positions in key areas of activity, creating a favorable climate for establishing and intensifying bilateral economic cooperation with the respective states, obtaining international experience and its use in reforming the law-enforcement system Ukraine in order to increase its combat capability and professionalism, promote the national interests of Ukraine and its external political priorities, and strengthening security in the world. Thanks to peacekeeping activities, Ukraine claims to be a full-fledged subject of international relations, increases its credibility and demonstrates a peaceful policy.