Ukraine
between ‘the
East and the
West’
Copyright by gov.uk
— Independent since 1991, Ukraine has veered between the
East and the West
— While wishing to broaden its ties with the West
(EU/NATO), it has nevertheless muddled through
democratization
— Russian influence and meddling have, particularly in the
last several years, destabilized the country considerably
— However, has the Western policy towards the country
always been positive as such?
— http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18010123
— http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2017/03/30/western-
populism-ukraine/
— “When Ukraine became independent in 1991, there were
expectations that it would in the near future become a
wealthy free market democracy and a full member of
the European and Euro-Atlantic communities……
Ukraine never fulfilled those expectations. Instead, it is
seen as an underachiever….” (Carnegie Endowment)
— Was/Has this (been) really fair to expect from Ukraine?
— http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/03/09/underachiever-
ukraine-s-economy-since-1991-pub-47451
— Major issues in democratization and transformation
(i.e., botched privatizations, major corruption scandals,
very slow institutional reforms, etc.) have held the country
back
— https://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2015/05/ukrain
e
— Hence, an important question in this regard remains: How
democratic is today’s Ukraine?
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcqBi4UCOOQ
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH4LoOCSmMQ
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWNxtHYUUxs
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNKsLlK52ss
— “Following Ukraine's Orange Revolution in 2004/2005
and the Euromaidan demonstrations that began in
November 2013, Ukraine's path towards democracy and
European integration finally appeared to be a smooth one.
Almost three years later, however, the initial euphoria has given
way to frustration. The Ukrainian government is
constantly accused of delaying its fight against
corruption and of enforcing reforms.” (DW)
— http://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-democracy-is-not-a-free-gift/a-
19553995
— As in the case of many other post-communist societies, dealing
with the past, (in)stability of state institutions,
acceptance of civic values, necessary state reforms, and
finally statehood issue, just to name the few, have remained
problematic for Kiev
— Russian occupation of Crimea and rising regional tensions
in this regard, with particularly sharp rise of nationalist
agendas and existing national divisions (particularly in
the east of the country), have only added to uncertainty that
the has met the country
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLx7QjewL_A
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pReGybeBjO0
— Coupled with economic problems, it seems that Ukraine will
be having hard times in managing the problems it has
— Hence, what will future bring to Ukraine? Can, for instance, the EU
help the country? In what way is this to be done? Will Ukraine be
able to join the Union one day?
— https://eeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/eu_ukraine_relations_fact
sheet_6_november_2017.pdf
— “EU leaders offered Ukraine closer ties on Friday at a
summit meant to cement Kiev’s ties with the West, but they
declined to promise that the country could one day join the
bloc.” (Reuters)
— https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-eu/ukraines-
promise-of-eu-membership-remains-elusive-idUSKBN1DO18R
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ruzxGCz5dU