The South of Ukraine, a diverse and multiethnic region, has always been a source of concerns and cautious optimism, but also a source of political anxiety when it came to European integration. Although after the Russian aggression against Ukraine the region has reconsidered its attitude towards the West and Russia, it hasn’t entirely embraced the pro-European agenda, while its attitudes and perceptions often remain out of Kyiv’s sight and attention.

Based on public discussions in Odesa and Kherson, as well as a series of interviews with local representatives, this paper is looking into the political, security and economic nuances of the two oblasts, which formally belong to the same region, but have their own peculiar attitudes towards political and economic developments in Ukraine.

Read the full discussion paper at the link

The discussion paper was written as a part of the project implemented under the USAID/ENGAGE activity, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact. The contents of this discussion paper is the sole responsibility of New Europe Center and Pact and do not necessary reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government