This update discusses the relationship between Angola and the Ukraine. The Ukraine has been supplying both UNITA and the Government of Angola with weapons. This supply of arms might tip the strategic balance in Luanda in favour of those who prefer a military solution against UNITA. The Ukrainian economy has been in crisis since independence from the Soviet Union as they had to cope with implementing free-market reforms. The hardships they have suffered brought along a low morale as the population has seen more insecurities since independence. The only long term solution to Ukraine’s problems lies in domestic economic and military reform. Yet given the high political and social costs involved in such reforms, the continuation of shorter contingency measures such as weapon sales to Angola can be expected.
