Der imperfekte Weg der Ukraine

Im August dieses Jahres feiert die Ukraine den 30. Jahrestag ihrer Unabhängigkeit. Obwohl die Ereignisse der letzten sieben Jahre – die Revolution der Würde, bewaffnete Aggression von Russland, die Invasion der Krim, die Besetzung von Territorien und komplexe Reformen – eine gewaltige Herausforderung darstellten, zeigen sie auch, dass die Ukraine trotz ihrer Imperfektion weiterhin in der Lage ist, mehrere Krisen zu bewältigen, zu überleben und noch stärker zu werden, um ihre Unabhängigkeit und Souveränität zu bestätigen.

Der Autor:

Dmytro Tuzhanskyi is director of the Institute for Central European Strategy (Ukraine), Think Visegrad Fellow 2020 and IVLP alum.

Veröffentlicht am 19.10.2021

The art of the interview

The comparison of the two discussions allows us to see how important it is to understand the historical context, in which one interviews politicians. It is also crucial to see how different the political setup is in a given country. And finally, to pick up an appropriate journalist for the task.

Published on: 15.10.2021

Herr Dietmar Pichler, ist Programmdirektor beim Zentrum für Digitale Medienkompetenz

Der KPÖ Wahlsieg in Graz, ein fragwürdiges Signal aus internationaler Perspektive

Die KPÖ rund um Elke Kahr gewann die Gemeinderatswahl in Graz deutlich. Während versucht wird, das auf auf erfolgreiche Kommunalpolitik zu reduzieren, zeigt sich, dass außenpolitische Irrfahrten nicht nur ein Merkmal der Bundespartei sind. Auch die KPÖ Graz/Steiermark neigt zu bedenklichen Positionen und freundlichen Kontakten mit Autokratien.

Veröffentlicht am 30.09.2021

Mr. Kacper Wanczyk

is a former Polish diplomat, worked, among others, as the Head of Division of Ukraine and Moldova in the Eastern Department, Head of Political-Economic Section in the Polish Embassy in Minsk, and a desk officer for economic and development cooperation in the Polish Embassy in Kabul.

Europe is the new Caspia

The deal, reached between Washington and Berlin on 21 June, basically approves the construction of Nord Stream 2. A gas pipeline bypassing Central Eastern Europe and delivering Russian gas to Germany.

The idea of using gas as a mean to tight Russia with Europe was floating within Russian decision-making circles already before the fall of USSR. The pipeline Yamal-Europe was born out of these plans. Obviously, it was planned and constructed in a particular international situation. Back then, decision-makers in Moscow couldn’t envisage problems with Belarus and Ukraine, and - probably - didn’t have enough technical possibilities to go underwater. Hence, a pipeline going through these former republics. 

Times changed. Moscow realized that the Yamal pipeline may prove problematic. It would allow Ukraine and Belarus to have some leverage towards them. Minsk and Kyiv proved Moscow right, both capitals were trying to benefit from the pipeline. But Moscow also used gas deliveries as a political leverage towards them.

Published on 05.08.2021

Mr. Dmytro Tuzhanskyi, political observer, the Institute for Central European Strategy

Ukraine’s Imperfect Path

This August, Ukraine will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its independence. Although the events of the last seven years, such as the Revolution of Dignity, Russia's armed-aggression, the invasion of Crimea, occupation of territories and complex reforms have been monumentally challenging, it also demonstrates that, while imperfect, Ukraine has the ability to meet multiple crises, survive and increase its fortitude validating its independence and sovereignty.

Published on 21.07.2021

Mr. Pavlo Shandra, member of the Odessa Rayon’s Council

Published on 25.06.2021

Decentralization in Ukraine: pros and cons

There is a phrase that claims to be a traditional Chinese curse – “May you live in interesting times”. While seemingly a blessing, the expression is normally received ironically in the meaning that life is better in ”uninteresting times” rather than in the interesting ones. This statement can also be used as the main characteristic of the modern history of Ukraine.

On August 24, 2021, there will be a great anniversary- thirty years since Ukraine has declared its independence and has started its transition to a democratic state with a strong market economy and the rule oflaw.However, this road was not as easy as some might have thought at the beginning. Soviet Union authorities always used to treat people as immature, who cannot make another choice in their life, rather than to rely on the communistparty’svision.

Mr. Kacper Wanczyk

Haka near the rose garden

Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin came to Geneva-situated villa La Grange to meet face-to-face for the first time. The run up to the meeting was used by administrations of both presidents to well prepare the ground for the meeting. While Moscow was mostly preoccupied with actions leading to having the meeting at all, Washington focused on creation of an environment in which the US president would look like a strong representative of the West.

The meeting ended without any breakthrough, save for the return of Ambassadors and a promise of consultation between respective foreign ministries. However, a short joint communique, eventually issued by the two presidents, showed that they operate within an old framework of their bilateral relations. Therefore, a meeting was not a new stage of these relations. It was merely a probing exercise.

Published on 17.06.2021

Mr. Kacper Wanczyk

Democrats and authoritarians 

Raman Pratasevich’s brutal arrest, that involved kidnapping of a plane flying between the two European countries, shocked the Western public opinion.

      In fact, this was not an extraordinary event. During his long reign Alexander Lukashenko was jailing, oppressing, and torturing his opponents. In the fight against democratic ideas, he was always close with hie Russian colleague – Vladimir Putin. Secret services of the two countries are known for joint operations including kidnapping people.

      Pratasevich is not an exception. He is one of many, that fell victim to the Moscow-Minsk actions towards the West. Their need to assert their position towards western capitals, particularly – Washington.

      How should the West behave? The answer lies in long term, systemic approach. An approach that turns around Russian-Belarusian game table. They focus only on the US – the EU should take the leading and strategic role. Minsk and Moscow use autocratic tools – we need to support direct, grassroots democracy in the two countries.

Published on 11.06.2021

Towards “militia state”. Evolution of Belarusian authoritarian system after presidential elections in 2020

The article describes how Alexander Lukashenko won the first presidential election in 1994 at the expense of his populist promises, emphasizing the benefits of a democratic system and a free market economy. The first president of Belarus very soon after the inauguration showed a tendency to an authoritarian model, which was a consequence of his mental state. At the very beginning of his rule, Lukashenko initiated several effective steps to destroy the independence of key state institutions.

For many years, the Belarusian regime has been a typical authoritarian system, meaning a monopoly on governing the country for Lukashenko and his circle. The end of this balanced authoritarian system began in the spring of 2020, with growing dissatisfaction with the regime among the majority of Belarusian society caused by the government's disregard for the threat of the COVID-19 epidemic, election fraud and brutal repression of Protestants. Fearing the loss of power, Lukashenko relied even more on the power institutions, whose loyalty is now the main factor guaranteeing his continued retention as president. In Belarus, a "militia state" is being formed, which, having lost the support of the majority of the population, now relies primarily on brute force, widespread control and persecution of critics of the regime.

Published on: 3.06.2021