"With her book, Kudlenko argues for EU-assisted SSR to be seen as a form of statebuilding, as preparing the three states for EU accession, and as a tool for peacebuilding and regional stability. She makes the case that the EU was a crucial actor in the region during a difficult time, and that its strength lay in its ability to adapt to the local context along with the continuous improvement of its methods. [...] Her argument is solid and well-structured, with empirical evidence that is well-grounded in theoretical insight. This is also true for her overarching argument that, for SSR efforts, the Western Balkans context was very important for the EU, too, enabling considerable learning and the opportunity to enhance and develop its approach significantly." —Uroš Popadić, Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade; Comp. Southeast Europ. Stud. 2025, 73(1).

"With her book, Kudlenko argues for EU-assisted SSR to be seen as a form of statebuilding, as preparing the three states for EU accession, and as a tool for peacebuilding and regional stability. She makes the case that the EU was a crucial actor in the region during a difficult time, and that its strength lay in its ability to adapt to the local context along with the continuous improvement of its methods. [...] Her argument is solid and well-structured, with empirical evidence that is well-grounded in theoretical insight. This is also true for her overarching argument that, for SSR efforts, the Western Balkans context was very important for the EU, too, enabling considerable learning and the opportunity to enhance and develop its approach significantly." —Uroš Popadić, Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade; Comp. Southeast Europ. Stud. 2025, 73(1).

"With her book, Kudlenko argues for EU-assisted SSR to be seen as a form of statebuilding, as preparing the three states for EU accession, and as a tool for peacebuilding and regional stability. She makes the case that the EU was a crucial actor in the region during a difficult time, and that its strength lay in its ability to adapt to the local context along with the continuous improvement of its methods. [...] Her argument is solid and well-structured, with empirical evidence that is well-grounded in theoretical insight. This is also true for her overarching argument that, for SSR efforts, the Western Balkans context was very important for the EU, too, enabling considerable learning and the opportunity to enhance and develop its approach significantly." —Uroš Popadić, Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade; Comp. Southeast Europ. Stud. 2025, 73(1).