Ukraine’s new defense policy: the Ministry of Defence publishes the Green Book and initiates public strategic consultations

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has announced the start of its first-ever public consultations on changes to national defense policy, reflecting the realities of a prolonged war, technological confrontation, and a war of attrition. The first step was the preparation and publication of the consultation document “Green Book: Strategic Directions, Challenges, and a New Defence Architecture” (hereinafter the “Green Book”), which is open for public discussion.

“The purpose of the Green Book is to develop a shared understanding of the key challenges and to design a forward-looking defense model capable of ensuring state resilience and deterring an aggressor possessing substantially greater resources. Ukraine’s answer should be a shift toward an integrated defense system that offsets the enemy’s numerical superiority through network-centric operations, technological adaptability, and a ‘war of intellects,” Denys Shmyhal said.

Such a defense model will enable faster decision-making, deliver a technological edge, build a resilient defense-industrial ecosystem, and deepen interoperability with NATO.

Rather than offering finalized directives or decisions, the document brings forward strategic dilemmas for discussion, each with cost implications and consequences for resource sustainability. The Green Book is intended to collect expert proposals, validate key assumptions, and shape coordinated approaches for future policy decisions.

Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance of engaging the expert community in shaping policy decisions. Accordingly, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine invites service members, managers, representatives of the defence industry, academics, researchers, and experts to review the “Green Book” and submit their proposals via an electronic form.

“The purpose of the Green Book is to develop a shared understanding of the key challenges and to design a forward-looking defense model capable of ensuring state resilience and deterring an aggressor possessing substantially greater resources. Ukraine’s answer should be a shift toward an integrated defense system that offsets the enemy’s numerical superiority through network-centric operations, technological adaptability, and a ‘war of intellects,” Denys Shmyhal said.

Such a defense model will enable faster decision-making, deliver a technological edge, build a resilient defense-industrial ecosystem, and deepen interoperability with NATO.

Rather than offering finalized directives or decisions, the document brings forward strategic dilemmas for discussion, each with cost implications and consequences for resource sustainability. The Green Book is intended to collect expert proposals, validate key assumptions, and shape coordinated approaches for future policy decisions.

Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance of engaging the expert community in shaping policy decisions. Accordingly, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine invites service members, managers, representatives of the defence industry, academics, researchers, and experts to review the “Green Book” and submit their proposals via an electronic form.