SPECIFICS AND POSITIONING OF US-UKRAINIAN RELATIONS: A SCHOLARLY DISCOURSE

The article examines the state of current scientific ideas and discussions on the nature and development of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the United States. The main research methods used were the methods of general scientific search (analysis, synthesis, generalisation, comparison), systematic approach and content analysis. It is noted that despite the fact that a wide range of domestic scholars in the field of international relations and political science are engaged in this topic, the level of its theoretical and conceptual development remains low.It is found that the most controversial feature of the academic discourse in Ukraine and the West on Ukrainian-American relations is the strong influence of the official discourse with its positive rhetoric of strategic partnership, common goals and values. It creates the effect of a distorted lens and self-censorship that encourages researchers to avoid sensitive issues of contradictions, problems and crises in bilateral relations.Other shortcomings of the academic discourse on this topic include its empirical and descriptive nature, insufficient theoretical and analytical component, one-sided focus on US policy towards Ukraine, fragmentation, and close linkage of US-Ukrainian relations with US-Russian relations.The research identified a number of methodological proposals and promising niches in the study of US-Ukrainian relations, including a shift away from a positive value prism in their analysis, a shift in research focus from the concept of the strategic partnership to the asymmetric nature of relations between the countries, and a greater focus on the differences between the countries in their interests and goals.