The evolving global and regional security environment challenge nations in adopting their security systems. In order to adjust accordingly, countries have to assess these environments and find their best possible solutions. There are different factors that influence this adaptation process, and governments may make wrong steps during their efforts in that area. This thesis researches the Ukrainian way of adaptation to a regional security environment after the Cold War era. For comparison and cross-case analysis purposes, it also studies the same processes in three relatively similar countries that had to implement drastic changes after the Soviet era: Poland, Romania and Kazakhstan. The thesis touches areas of political course, national security strategy evolution, economic capabilities and development processes, and Clausewitz's triad relationships from the angle of government. The factors and challenges that influence Ukrainian security system adaptation include: uncertainty in foreign policy and its frequent change, economic inefficiency, insufficient defense expenditures, and imbalanced relationships in the Clausewitz triad. For further research, this thesis also proposes to study aspects that may influence security system adaptation, such as corruption, bureaucracy, decentralization of power, and Clausewitz's triad relationship between the military and people.

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