THE POSITIONS OF THE EU’S MEMBER STATES CONCERNING THE RUSSIANUKRAINIAN CONFLICT

Abstract

The article shows how serious are the differences between the EU’s member states in relation to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. It is shown that the current EU common position condemning Russian actions in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russian based on shaky compromise countervailing interests of a United Europe. Events in Ukraine demonstrated the extent of the difficulties in harmonizing economic and political measures of the EU. They also reiterated the urgent need for strong coordination strategic framework Foreign and Security Policy of the EU, which would allow it to respond quickly and decisively in a crisis. However, the author argues that although some EU’s member states has taken an ambivalent position on the conflict and does not want to share the burden of economic sanctions against Russia, it is unlikely that in the near future their position can be a real obstacle to the implementation of joint EU action. Key words: EU’s member states; Russian-Ukrainian conflict; common position; sanctions.