New issue of Inside Ukraine—“Ukraine’s choices”

Today, Russia is busy promoting its own agenda, which includes returning Ukraine to its “sphere of influence.” The basis for integration, according to Moscow, is the principle of economic efficiency, which means, for Ukraine, that its economy will be swallowed up by Russia’s.

On 6 July 2010, the International Centre for Policy Studies held a roundtable during which the latest issue of ICPS’s analytical publication, Inside Ukraine, was presented. The theme of this issue, “Ukraine’s Choices,” continues the discussion of Russia’s “Ukraine Agenda,” which began in the previous issue.

Ukraine’s drive towards Euroatlantic integration in opposition to Russia has collapse. Confrontation on both the domestic and foreign political fronts put the Euroatlantic community in an untenable position vis-à-vis Ukraine.

In the contemporary world, integration is an irreversible process that Ukraine cannot avoid. In the post-soviet arena, three integration models are available: passive integration (Belarus), confrontation and the partial breakup of the state (Georgia), and pro-active integration (Kazakhstan). This offers two possible scenarios for Ukraine’s further development.

In the first one, forced intimacy with Russia, the crushing of democracy, political manipulation of the sensitive issues of language and history will inevitably rouse the ire of voters and will strengthen centrifugal trends. The result will be the break-up of Ukraine and its probable disappearance from the geopolitical map.

In the second scenario, Ukraine supports integration processes with Russia and proposes its own views of how they should evolve.

Firstly, integration is based on common political principles and not on horse-trading for commercial assets. The best example is the EU, the best-designed model of upholding the interests of every participant in an integrated association. EU countries are involved in joint Ukrainian-Russian projects as guarantors that mutual commitments are carried out.

Secondly, Kyiv becomes the territorial center of all integration processes and the base for any joint projects. This is where all newly-established integration institutions are located.

Thirdly, the principle of mirrored commitments is applied, especially when it comes to language and cultural policy. Ukrainian is the only state language of Ukraine.

The result of this scenario would be a Ukraine that is an active player on the post-soviet arena, making the country an attractive partner for the EU and NATO.

One participant at the roundtable, Counselor at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ukraine Vsevolod Loskutov, stated, “Unfortunately, Ukrainian-Russian relations are built on too many myths today. We have always favored the idea of Ukraine developing relations of its own with the EU.”

The Finnish Ambassador to Ukraine, Krister Mikkelsson noted during the discussion: “Integration is not just a matter of choice but a long and demanding task. Ukraine’s step-by-step nearing to the EU should not stand in opposition to cooperation with Russia or to interfere in it.”

The new issue of Inside Ukraine, “Ukraine’s choices,” can be downloaded at: http://www.icps.com.ua/files/articles/58/12/Inside_Ukraine_ENG_9.pdf