Leo Litra, Senior Fellow at the NEC spoke at the KAS Eastern Partnership School of Excellence

After the Russian aggression the South of Ukraine 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.

What is Europe’s way to be influential in the international relations? What is the role of Ukraine and each of us in this aspect?

Ukrainians are generally convinced of the need for assistance from the EU and the US. Quite an insignificant number of citizens oppose receiving assistance from the Western governments.

On October 17-19, 2018, the New Europe Center with the support of the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation of the GMF organized a Study Visit to Ukraine for a group of thought leaders from U.S. and the European Union.

A peacekeeping mission should have access to the entire occupied area of the Donbas, including the uncontrolled section of the Ukrainian-Russian border. However, without compromises from Russia launching a full-fledged peacekeeping mission in the East of Ukraine will be unrealistic.

From July to September 2018, Ukraine has improved its relations with the EU and the USA most remarkably. Less significant was progress in Ukraine-NATO and Ukraine-China interactions. Meanwhile, relations with Russia have worsened.

Is there an alternative to European integration for Ukraine? How can Ukraine contribute to the development of the New Europe? These issues were discussed during the public debate and presentation of the collection of essays “New Europe” at the Institute of International Relations of the Kyiv Taras Shevchenko University on October 10, 2018.

What should be Ukraine’s contribution to the debate about the future of Europe? What should Ukraine do to become “one of their own” for the European Union? These were the topics discussed during the presentation of the collection of essays “New Europe” in Kyiv on October 5, which coincided with the anniversary of the New Europe Center.

Kyiv should comprehensively explore the issue of denunciation of the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Ukraine on cooperation in the use of the sea of Azov and the strait of Kerch since 2003, but on the whole this agreement does not correspond to Ukrainian interests