Ukraine and the Eastern Partnership: ‘Lost in Translation’?

Abstract

Relations between Ukraine and the European Union, under the European Neighbourhood Policy and the newly launched Eastern Partnership Initiative, have undergone considerable progress in the development of multi-faceted forms of co-operation between the two sides. These include a gradual reorientation of the Ukrainian population westwards, and their incremental appreciation of European values, including those of democracy, freedoms and human rights. The 2010 presidential election serves as a testimony to Ukraine's growing commitment to European standards. On the negative side, however, a lack of balance between EU and Ukrainian interests can still be observed, as can a certain short-sightedness on the part of Brussels officials in treating Ukraine mainly as a cordon sanitaire between Europe and the post-Soviet territories. There is also a growing lack of motivation within the Ukrainian political elite to implement practical reforms, and this suggests limited partnership and transparency in Ukraine's relationship with the EU.