The article examines the election platforms of candidates for the 2014 Ukrainian presidential election. Common theses for election programs are identified that relate to both domestic and foreign policy of Ukraine, which allows us to draw conclusions about the content and structure of the Ukrainian political space in 2014. The article examines the extent and nuance of the use of the "Russian narrative" by candidates in the Ukrainian presidential elections, which took place immediately after the Euromaidan, the secession of the Donbas regions, and the shift in the state's strategic priorities. The issue of legitimizing the transition of power through presidential elections is examined. The vector of new strategic priorities is determined by analyzing the electoral policies of the candidates. Using content analysis, we identify the main thrust of the election platforms of candidates who garnered more than 3% of the vote. Possible electoral reasons for conducting a special military operation are examined.
foreign policy of Ukraine, elections of the President of Ukraine, Euromaidan, legitimization of power, Russian narrative, secession, special military operation, strategic priorities of the state, transit of power, electoral politics
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