100 posts
A double price for double standards
NEW
The Ukrainian authorities, hesitating in the political choice between Moscow and Brussels, have put forward two basic arguments to Europe. The first one is the fixation of the prospect of Ukraine’s EU membership in the Association Agreement. The...
Ukrainian Vector of Vladimir Putin
NEW
By Alexey Makarkin In Russia foreign policy course is defined by the President – that is why a political deci...
Ukraine-Moldova race to EU visa-free regime
NEW
This will probably make boring reading, but for those with some stamina to go through typically unreadable, but important, EU-speak here is a comparison of how Ukraine and Moldova perform on their way towards a visa-free regime with the EU. The asses...
Military Cooperation of Ukraine and NATO Shall Be Assessed by the Alliance within the Context of Political Events in the Country.
NEW
James-Appathurai.jpg James-Appathurai.jpg The interview of Vice Secretary General of NATO on political issues and security James Appathurai. READ MORE...
Why is Ukrainian democracy important for Europe?
NEW
I was born in Ukraine. Ukraine is a part of Europe. Ukraine already was a European state when in Europe not everyone knew about such things as alphabet, clothes made from fabric, water toilet or constitution. The first-ever modern computer was create...
Yulia Tymoshenko: Ukraine’s absurd two-month old trial
NEW
On 24 August 2011 Ukraine celebrated 20 years of independence. Preparations for the festivities were accompanied by a performance on the political stage, with the lead role taken by the 60-year-old. The country is revolting the lawsuit which the form...
Ukraine proposes alternative to South Stream
NEW
video By Maria Selivanova Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has proposed building one more gas pipeline across his country instead of the planned South Stream project byp...
Cornered by Russia, Ukraine eyes Turkmen gas
NEW
Ukraine, embittered by Russia's unwillingness to cut prices for its gas, said on Monday, Sept. 12 it would try to resume imports of the fuel from Turkmenistan. READ MORE...
European Union fails to see strengths of Ukraine, Turkey
NEW
Once upon a time Turkey and Ukraine were defining the destiny of Europe. Now they have seemingly been sidelined. Both are knocking on the European Union’s door and both are being told, more or less, that they are not welcome. READ MORE...
Ukraine not up to EU standards yet
NEW
Yanukovich, the current president of Ukraine, has already made it clear that they want closer ties with the EU, which he ‘implicitly showed’ by visiting Brussels earlier this year, where...
The Reluctant Eastern Partner: Ukraine
NEW
The European Union hosted the 14th EU-Ukraine Summit in Brusels on 22 November 2010. Herman van Rompuy, José Manuel Barroso, Viktor Yanukovych. Foto: Credit © European Union, 2010 The following three main topics were high on the meeting ag...
In A Multi-Vector Trap: Who Will Guarantee The Security Of Ukraine?
NEW
In the end of September Ukraine raised an important issue during the UNO General Assembly – who will guarantee the security of non-nuclear states? Which is the point to strive for neutrality if it will result into vulnerability? In this respect...
A Strategic Opportunity for Ukraine
NEW
There are neighborhoods in Kyiv one might easily mistake for Paris, London, or New York: intricately decorated Victorian apartment buildings and townhouses mingle with sidewalk cafes, small parks and monuments, mid-century office blocks, and glass-fr...
Ukraine May Give Russia Joint Control of Pipe to Cut Gas Prices
NEW
Ukraine is willing to give Russia joint control of a pipeline to southeastern Europe in exchange for access to natural gas supplies, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said as the countries negotiate a gas venture. READ MORE...
Ukraine's president faces straight talk in Berlin
NEW
Chancellor Angela Merkel used a visit to Berlin by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday to raise concerns about press freedoms in his country. Yanukovych was hoping to drum up German investment in Ukraine. READ MORE...
«It is only a speculation that the U.S. lost interest in Ukraine»
NEW
Discussion with the U.S. Ambassador in Ukraine John Tefft at the Institute of World Policy. READ MORE...
Ukraine Made Moldova a Maritime State by Mistake: Ukrainian Expert
NEW
“Ukraine has to correct the mistakes done in due time in the negotiations with Moldova, which only got worse during the time of “oranges” in power”. Why so unexpectedly Moldova became a maritime state? This issue has to be...
«I Am Confident that the EU Will Overcome Enlargement Fatigue»
NEW
Ukraine deserves to be a member of the European Union. READ MORE...
Ukraine between the European and Customs Unions: What Will Be the Choice?
NEW
The enhanced Eastern vector of Ukrainian policy yet more likely misleads, rather then gives a direct reply – where does Ukraine go? READ MORE...
Yanukovych meeting European Council President
NEW
President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych conducted a meeting with the President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, presidential press office informed. READ MORE...
Yanukovych meeting European Council President
NEW
President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych conducted a meeting with the President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, presidential press office informed. READ MORE...
Initial Outcomes Of President Yanukovych’s Foreign Policy:Results Of Expert Poll By The Institute Of World Policy
NEW
Alyona Getmanchuk, director of the Institute of World Politicy, and Sergiy Solodkyy, deputy director of IWP has held a public presentation of expert poll about the first outcomes of president Viktor Yanukovych’s foreign policy. Among the par...
Ironing boards from Ukraine
NEW
It’s fascinating to see just how many areas of life the EU gets involved in. Today, for example, it ruled on whether a company in Ukraine is harming European firms by selling ironing boards more cheaply than it would do in its own country. This...
Clinton to Kyiv: Speaking Truth to Power
NEW
Of all the stops on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s upcoming trip to Europe, none is more important than Ukraine. This is a country heading in the wrong direction—as evidenced by the disturbing and rapid rollback of its democratic gains. Muc...
Sliding faster to less freedom
NEW
Ukraine's shrivelling press freedom attracts concern in America...
The “Reefs” of Russian-Ukrainian Rapprochement
NEW
Russia and Ukraine are on their way to a system dialogue. President Viktor Yanukovich has already sounded the suggestion to finalize the provisions of the Great Treaty of 1997. Will the states develop a new format of interaction? READ MORE...
Spooked by spooks
NEW
Ukraine's SBU treads heavily over academic freedom--or so a visit to the country's leading independent university, the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, would suggest...
European Window of Opportunities for Viktor Yanukovich
NEW
The European Commission imposed 19 demands to Ukraine that are connected with the prospects of Euro-integration of this country. Europe tests the Government of V. Yanukovich on the ability to fulfill its Euro-promises in practice. Will that be a k...
Orange sunset?
NEW
So, President Yanukovych. I don’t always agree with the folks at Foreign Policy, but I think they nail this one: Ukrainians were absolutely correct to stand up and defend their democratic rights back in 2004. Yanukovych and his party were guil...
Ukrainian parliament fights over ratification of Russian deal
NEW
Ukrainian lawmakers got rough, threw eggs and smoke bombs, but still voted in favor of deal with Russia ensuring cheaper natural gas for Ukraine in exchange for the lease of a key naval base to Moscow. READ MORE...
Polarizing Politics in Ukraine
NEW
WASHINGTON — The agreement signed last week between Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev in which Ukraine will receive cheaper gas in exchange for extending Russia’s Black Sea Fleet presence in Crimea t...
Ukraine scraps NATO accession plans
NEW
The Ukrainian president has dissolved the commission which was to work towards NATO membership. It's the latest move to abandon the pro-western stance of the 'Orange Revolution' and re-establish ties with Russia. READ MORE...
Ukraine's Election Clouds EU's Energy Future
NEW
There is little doubt that as president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych will decisively shift the country's geopolitical posture, with Kiev once again moving closer to Moscow after its pro-Western and pro-EU turn of 2005. The potential consequences on...
Ukraine--Andrew Wilson latest
NEW
Andrew Wilson is the best Ukraine-watcher I know. Here is his new paper, which argues that Yanukovych could be Ukraine's Nixon.
Orange is not the only fruit when it comes to Ukraine
NEW
More than a month after the Ukrainian elections, the EU and the newly elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych have shown mutual diplomatic signs of understanding which now make Yanukovych’s previously labelled “pro-Russian” views appear t...
Yanukovych visits Moscow, pledges better relations
NEW
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has visited Moscow for his second foreign visit since being sworn in. Long considered a pro-Kremlin politician, he said he wanted to open "a new page" in relations with Moscow. READ MORE...
First Foreign Trip Takes Ukraine's New President To Brussels
NEW
European integration is high on the agenda of Ukraine's foreign policy, the country's new president said in Brussels. Yanukovych surprised observers by picking Brussels and not Moscow for his first international trip. READ MORE...
EU more generous with Yanukovich?
NEW
I find it weird. Yanukovich, whom the Western press tagged as pro-Russian, is reportedly getting more support from Brussels compared to his pro-NATO predecessor Yushchenko. In any case, this is a good development, as I see it. the EU has to be more e...
A Ukrainian pickle
NEW
A small follow-up to the previous post. It was all down to Kiev’s invitation list, it seems. Ukraine invited EU council president Herman Van Rompuy, EU commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and EP ch...
Tymoshenko’s defiance risks losing her friends in Europe
NEW
Yulia Tymoshenko’s refusal to acknowledge Viktor Yanukovich as the legitimate winner of Ukraine’s presidential election is starting to embarrass her friends in the European Union. The White House, Nato and the EU have all congratulat...
Yanukovych Faces Uphill Struggle for Control of Ukraine, Despite Victory in Presidential Election
NEW
As expected, opposition leader Viktor Yanukovych has won the February 7 presidential election runoff. Unlike in 2004, when Yanukovych lost a controversial poll to Viktor Yushchenko and his supporters were accused of large-scale election fraud, this t...
Will Yanukovitch finally prepare Ukraine for European integration?
NEW
I observed one week of post-election commentaries (some more sources here): this is my short ‘net take’. But before attempting to answer this question, let’s get rid of one frequent misconception in Western reporting: that the Presidential elec...
Some more sources on Ukraine’s elections and Europe
NEW
This article by Gideon Rachman makes good points: Oranges and lemons in Ukraine Two Ukraine experts also write good articles on the topic in the FT, Stefan Wagstyl Roman Olearchyk But these articles are regrettably behind a paywall: a different appro...
The sight of Ukraine's lumpen victor should stir the EU's own into action | Timothy Garton Ash
NEW
Yanukovych's election is a startling historical turn, but the country can still have a more prosperous, free and European futureUkraine is not yet lost. Yes, it's a gobsmacking reversal that Viktor Yanukovych, whose election fraud in Ukraine's 2004 p...
Ukraine: End of Orange Revolution, start of Stabilisation
NEW
“We can say goodbye to our democracy, our independence and our sovereignty” (outgoing President Yushchenko predicts a future with either Ms Tymoshenko or Mr Yanukovych as President) “I’m quite happy because whoever is chosen today will be...
FT video: Ukraine’s big economic chill
NEW
From central Ukraine and capital Kiev, a leading oligarch, a bar owner, a foreign investor and ordinary hard-hit people discuss what the new president needs to do to mend Ukraine’s broken economy. function doLoad() {var mp = new MavenPlayer('m...
Ukraine - a colourful and energetic campaign
NEW
Ukraine went to the polls to elect a President on Sunday. This is the first Presidential election since the momentous events of the Orange Revolution. It’s been a colourful and energetic campaign, with 18 candidates in the running two n...
Ukraine heads for close presidential run-off
NEW
Pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich and populist Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko will face off in a second round of presidential elections after Sunday's poll failed to produce a clear winner. READ MORE...
Ukraine’s Election: A Democratic Achievement Worth a EU Reward
NEW
The European Union should be pleased with the outcome of the first round of Ukraine’s presidential election. Not because the politician who received the most votes was former premier Viktor Yanukovich, the most pro-Russian of the main candid...
Presidential elections in Ukraine
NEW
Chairman of the Central Election Commission Volodymyr Shapoval said on Monday at a briefing press that “Presidential elections in Ukraine took place at an appropriate level “. CEC has estimated 80,27% of protocols in the presidential elec...
Yushchenko and Yanukovych Forge an Electoral Alliance
NEW
On December 25, 2009 UNIAN published a secret agreement “On Political Reconciliation and the Development of Ukraine” leaked by Yaroslav Kozachok, the deputy head of the presidential secretariat’s department on domestic affairs and r...
Ukrainian Social Democracy: Discredited in Name, Deficient in Nature
NEW
The SPDU(u), like many similar projects in the CIS countries, was a travesty of all aspects of social democracy. ‘You can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of...
President Yushchenko calls on Europe to use Ukrainian gas transit system more effectively
NEW
Ukraine will ensure the transit of Russian gas to EU countries and hopes for the EU support to introducing market principles in gas sector, President Viktor Yushchenko has said following the 13th Ukraine-EU Summit in Kyiv. READ MORE...
“Ukraine fatigue” vs “EU fatigue”
NEW
It might seem that EU-Ukraine relations are poised for a new start. The end of EU’s institutional crisis and the entry into force of Lisbon opens the way for the EU to move beyond its institutional reform into a great new era of outward-looking...
Ukrainian Presidential Candidate Arseniy Yatseniuk’s Foreign Policy
NEW
In 2008-2009 Arseniy Yatseniuk grew rapidly in popularity and was seen as the rising star of a “new generation of Ukrainian politicians,” with some even touting him as “Ukraine’s Obama” who would inevitably prove “...
Bridge on the Dnieper
NEW
Ukraine is in the news again, this time for its panicked response to a flu epidemic that has claimed over three hundred lives. In many countries, this would simply be a matter of public health, but in Ukraine, where politics is polarized by culture a...
Tough love for Ukraine
NEW
The UK is a big supporter of Ukraine which is why I hosted a 'Friends of Ukraine' breakfast meeting in Brussels this Tuesday before the second day of the General Affairs Council. We had a good turnout with a dozen EU Foreign and Europe Ministers, and...
Ukrainian Signs In Turkish March: New Reality Of Energy Policy
NEW
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said one of those sayings, which perfectly characterizes current role of Turkey within international political and economic arena: "Turkey is the extreme Eastern point of West an...
Russia and Ukraine in Intensifying Standoff
NEW
A year after its war with Georgia, Russia is engaging in an increasingly hostile standoff with another pro-Western neighbor, Ukraine. READ MORE...
praising Poland and Ukraine
NEW
Europe.viewWreath by wreathSep 10th 2009From Economist.comHow east Europe can step over history's long shadowTWO of the five most-commented-on articles on The Economist’s website last week were about east European history. One concerned the icy rel...
On Ukraine and Polish Janus face
NEW
During these holidays I had a short spell in Lviv, Ukraine - where my ancestors come from. Some of you will be puzzled - what is the link between Poles and a Ukrainian town. Hmmm.... how to explain it. This is a longer lecture so I give only a few fa...
Experts: Medvedev’s Statement Is the Attempt to Influence Presidential Elections In Ukraine
NEW
Ukrainian political analysts commented on the statement of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who accused current Ukrainian Government of leading anti-Russia course and announced the decision to postpone the coming of new Russian Ambassador to Ukrain...
Questions abound over Ukraine's European future
NEW
Ukraine is currently negotiating visa-free travel with the EU as part of a wide-ranging association agreement, as some of the country's politicians express hopes for a clearer "European perspective". EurActiv outlines various scenarios for...
Europe urged to be 'visionary' with Ukraine
NEW
Experts from Washington have called on the EU to be more daring and propose closer ties with its large Eastern neighbour. But European Commission officials told that the current mood in Europe was not exactly in tune with such an approach. READ...
Horrid Outlook in Ukraine
NEW
Not to beat a dead horse or anything, but it seems that Krugman, via Edward, was right after all. This does indeed seem to be a great depression if there ever was one. (from Bloomberg) Ukraine’s economy probably shrank as much as 23 percent in the...
Azerbaijan-Ukraine relations developing dynamically: Azerbaijani president
NEW
The first meeting of Azerbaijani and Ukrainian Presidents Council was held in Azerbaijan. At the meeting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the official visit of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to Baku would develop a...
European Union's Eastern Partnership Plan Disappoints Ukraine
NEW
President Viktor Yushchenko was vexed when European Commission President Jose Barroso suggested that he and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko should make peace for the sake of Ukraine's stability. "I don't want to get advice on what to d...
Putin Warns Europe Over Ukrainian Gas Plan
NEW
Russia’s Prime Minister said he’s unhappy his country was not consulted on a European Union decision to help Ukrainian modernize its gas supply network. Putin warned that the slight could jeopardize Russian-EU relations. READ MORE...
Russia Warns EU over Ukraine
NEW
Russia has warned the European Union over its relationship with Ukraine, and threatened to review bilateral ties with the EU. The Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin called the EU-Ukraine gas pipeline modernisation plan, “ill considered and u...
Ukrainians made fools of themselves in NATO
NEW
All of NATO was today watching and listening to the new US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Lucky for the Ukrainians, because not many people noticed a very strange incident between them.Here is my exclusive piece of news, also to be found in tom...
Ukraine’s collapse
NEW
Ukraine’s economic crisis could have profound (geo)political consequences for European security. A default in Ukraine could lead to higher unemployment, a drastic fall in governance standards, a rise in emigration, organised crime, and an even deep...
Border Settlement Between Romania and Ukraine
NEW
Alhough the Romanian president has an appetite for redrawing the maps of Europe, this time his government let the work done by the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The two countries have disputed the tiny Black Sea Snake Island. In the pa...
Guest post on the gas crisis: ‘Tymoshenko is smarter than Putin and Miller’
NEW
Daniel had posted several times about the effect of the Russian-Ukrainian gas crisis. This thought were formulated in our discussion following his post which drew attention to Gazprom deputy-chairman Mr Medvedev’s op-ed in the WSJ Online. That is t...
Russia and Ukraine: Pacta sunt servanda?
NEW
Yesterday evening the Czech Presidency of the EU Council was still expressing its disappointment at the failure of Russia and Ukraine to reach a deal on the supply and transit of gas to EU member states:http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/news...
Is Gazprom really expecting Europe to take its side against Ukraine?
NEW
Gazprom says Ukraine blocking resumed gas flows MOSCOW, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Russian gas monopoly...
Ukraine-Russia gas crisis
NEW
THE 2009 crisis: Is Gazprom really expecting Europe to take its side against Ukraine? Gas...
As The Politicians Battle It Out Ukraine’s Economy Tunnels South In Search Of Australia
NEW
“In Ukraine, the evidence is still that policymakers do not quite understand the seriousness of the challenges they face,”. Timothy Ash, analyst at the Royal Bank of Scotland. “There is a burgeoning economic crisis in the European periphery,
NATO-Ukraine consultations in Estonia
NEW
NATO and Ukraine are holding the Sixth Informal High Level consultations in Tallinn, Estonia. This comes roughly a month before the next meeting of foreign ministers where the question of a Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine will be discussed...
