UKRAINE – STUCK BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST

Abstract

For some time now, Ukraine has been internally divided between those who support Russia and those who fight for the westernization of the country through its affiliation with NATO and the EU. Both the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) – and later the Eastern Partnership (EaP) policy – as well as Russia’s foreign policy, have been fuelling more and more this internal divide, with every strategy implemented by the EU in that direction leading to violent responses from Russia, which had very significant consequences on Ukraine. This paper aims to present, through qualitative analysis, the present geopolitical situation of Ukraine, which seems to be unable to move forward in a definitive direction. Throughout this essay I will analyse the events that led to the impasse in which Kyiv is stuck now, also touching upon the tense relation between the EU and Russia. Towards the end of the paper, further possible strategies and scenarios are suggested, considering and examining the tense situation in the whole Eastern Neighbourhood. Comparisons between other EaP states and Ukraine are also going to be presented in order to obtain a complete picture of the situation.