THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY INSTITUTIONS IN THE FORMATION OF THE SECURITY SPACE OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN STATES

Abstract

The article examines the role of civil society institutions in Ukraine and Poland in addressing crisis issues of interstate cooperation, assessing their potential influence on democratic processes within the countries and government decisions amid the formation of the security framework in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). It also emphasizes the impact of independent media on political, economic, social, and interstate relations among CEE countries against the backdrop of the Russian-Ukrainian war and significant shifts in the security landscape of the European continent. The need for enhanced collaboration among Ukrainian and Polish scientific, academic, public, human rights, and media spheres to develop and implement a systemic ideology of conflict-free strategic coexistence is highlighted, especially given the new existential threat posed by Russia to Ukraine, Poland, and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States.