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Ukraine Policy Profile

Foreign relations of Ukraine have started to develop after it accepted the Declaration of State Sovereignty in 1990 and especially after the Act of Independence of Ukraine was announced in 1991. Ukraine was until then, although it had its own seat in the United Nations and was one of its 51 founding states, a part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and thus unable to lead it own foreign policy. The Declaration of Independence became the cornerstone and starting point creation of the foreign policy guidelines that would meet the criteria of the present-day situation.

The priorities of Ukrainian foreign policy have gone through a long process of alteration, mostly because of complex domestic and global situation. During the first years of its independence the main foreign policy goals were to win international recognition of Ukraine and establish relations with other countries, especially with the neighbouring former Soviet republics and with other European and worlds countries. Other vital parts of this process were aimed at securing national security of the country, assuring territorial integrity and extend the diplomatic network.

One of the most significant steps in the construction of the legal basis of Ukraine’s international relations was the motion on the Basic Directions of the Foreign Policy of Ukraine, accepted by Ukrainian parliament in 1993. This document determined Ukraine’s key national interest in the foreign policy, defined its principles and guidelines and set the priorities of the foreign policy. The following priorities were outlined in the resolution:

• development of bilateral interstate relationships,
• enlargement of the participation in the European co-operation,
• collaboration with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states,
• participation in United Nations (UN) and other international organisations.

In the following years (1994 - 1997) Ukraine started to gain status of being an influential state in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. A lot of efforts were made to involve the nation in general European processes. The foreign policy shifted its focus from establishing international relations to promoting Ukrainian national interests. As the integration process in Europe developed, so did the Ukraine’s interest in being involved in European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Ukraine took dynamic part in all the processes taking in both Europe and the world. Its first priority was to renew European identity which primarily meant its integration into European structures, especially in the European Union, in reinforcement of European and Atlantic partnerships, and active participation in local projects and mechanisms of cooperation. Ukraine's involvement in European integration processes is necessary to get membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Europe orientated foreign policy doesn’t prevent Ukraine to develop bilateral collaboration with strategic partners, such as the Russian federation, the United States of America Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Poland. Further efforts will be invested in development of other bilateral agreements, especially with countries in Central and South Asia, the Asian-Pacific region and in the Middle East.

Current prospects in Ukrainian foreign policy are slightly insecure. The domestic crisis which out broke after March 2006 parliamentary elections and resulted in the failure to re-establish the Orange Coalition has led to multi-vectorism in Ukraine’s foreign policy. Multi-vectorism is a result of different foreign policy expressed by the president and the prime minister. Regardless of the current problems, Ukraine’s foreign policy has shown much continuity and it is likely to stay the case. Recent developments suggest that a consensus have emerged on all important foreign policy issues.

Ukraine's Integration into European Structures

European integration is the first priority in the foreign policy of Ukraine. To reach the goal of moving Ukraine closer to EU, a whole complex of efforts both inside and outside of the country is set in motion. The set of diplomatic initiatives was also taken to progress the process of Ukraine’s succession to World Trade Organisation (WTO). The foundation for bilateral relations between Ukraine and the European Union is set in the Agreement on Partnership and cooperation and the Joint EU Ukrainian Strategy, in which Ukrainian European orientation is acknowledged by EU. Following the Orange Revolution the initiative picked up the momentum. In June 2006 Ukraine signed a visa facilitation and readmission agreement, which should be ratified shortly. Since the current partnership and cooperation agreement is due to expire, new negotiations have been launched. Ukraine has also adopted internal documents to protect its European choice despite the political crisis between president and prime minister. One of the most significant is the Strategy of Ukraine’s Integration into EU, which set plan for the most important activities in order to achieve the membership in EU. All major political forces in the Ukrainian Parliament backed the resolution and welcomed further European integration. The Program of Ukraine’s EU Integration formulates all necessary tasks for various Ukrainian ministries so that the Strategy is fully implemented.

A special attention is aimed at economic cooperation between EU and Ukraine. Ukraine signed a Cooperation Declaration with member states of the European Free Trade Association, thus opening the European economic space to Ukraine.

Relations between Ukraine and the EU have intensified in the recent years, regardless of numerous changes in government in Ukraine and political crisis. This trend is expected to be continued, as many mechanisms cooperation have been put into place. Since 2004 EU has become even more involved in Ukraine’s political and economical reforms and is offering incentives for such measures.

Relation with CIS states

Ukraine tries to maintain peaceful, constructive and friendly relations with neighbouring states. It sustains especially strong bonds with Poland and Russia, although relations with the later are often complicated. The relations between Ukraine and Russia can hardly be characterized as positive after the Orange Revolution, although there has been a slight progress over few past years. The main reasons for tensions with Russia are energy dependence, payment debts and the Black Sea Fleet. The clash between Russian state-owned gas provider Gazprom and Ukraine over natural gas prices started in 2005. Since the dispute couldn’t be resolved, Russia cut gas export to Ukraine in January 2006. Although the supply was restored few days later, the inter-government treaty has not been signed yet. The tension over Black Sea Fleet was reduced with acceptance of several agreements on its final division and disposition.

Ukraine became a member of the CIS in 1991, but refused to support a draft agreement, which would reinforce economic, political and defence binds among its members in 1993. It was also a founding member of GUAM (Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova) Organization for Democracy and Economic Development.

Ukraine and the UN

Although a part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Ukraine was among 51 United Nations founding state and has been actively engaged in the organisation since 1945. Today, Ukraine is energetically engaging in reforming the UN. It supports an increased UN Security Council staff by introducing more permanent and non-permanent members, especially from the region of Eastern Europe.

Ukraine is currently a member of numerous primary and secondary UN organs, including the Human Rights Council, Commission on Social Development, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP), Committee on Contributions, Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Statistical Commission, Commission on Population and Development, and more. It is significantly contributing to the Organization's activities in fields of preservation of international peace and security, safeguarding of human rights, economic and social progress, disarmament, supporting of international law etc.

Ukraine has been devoted to the UN peacekeeping from the first years of its sovereignty. The partaking in these activities is considered as a significant component of its foreign policy, supporting them not only politically, but also in terms of practical contribution of personnel. Over 28 thousand military and civilian personnel have been dispatched around the World on peacekeeping operations and missions, including Kosovo, Bosnia, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Georgia, Congo, Afghanistan etc.

Ukraine and NATO

Ukraine actively collaborates with NATO for many years. The alliance is based on Ukraine’s national interest and was set in motion by the Charter of Special Partnership signed in 1997 and the Individual Partnership Program within the Partnership for Peace Program. The main motive for the association is the role the alliance plays in maintaining global peace, stability and security in the European-Atlantic region as well as in establishing a new regional security scheme in Europe, increased trust and the assertation of European democratic and legal standards. The Charter recognized areas for consultation and collaboration and instituted the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) to take work forward.

The relationship has since then developed progressively and a dialogue and cooperation has become well-established in an extensive array of areas. Ukraine has proved to be a vital contributor to Euro-Atlantic security in the framework of NATO-led operations. Another important characteristic of relations is the support which is given to Ukraine by NATO and individual Allies for its ongoing reform struggles, predominantly in the defence and security areas. Ukraine is taking part in many NATO’s political, military, technical, technical, economical, ecological, and civil emergency activities.

Ukraine is trying to further expand mutual relations with NATO and improve each others understanding and compatibility.

Ukraine and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

Ukraine gives a special attention to the question of international security. For that reason it is taking active part in discussing and settling the problems of international security. It is developing a tight cooperation with countries within the OSCE region, especially in the area of general security, strengthening of the regional stability, improvement of the OSCE’s effectiveness in the terms of political, economic, ecological and military spheres.

Ukraine and the Council of Europe

Among other international organizations, Ukraine also participates in the Council of Europe. This collaboration is another proof of Ukraine’s European choice and thus commitment to the idea of pluralistic democracy and human rights and liberties.

Ukraine is taking active role and aids the Council of Europe in its addressing of various social problems, supporting of human rights of national minorities, prevention of racial intolerance and xenophobia, environmental protection, maintenance of biological diversity, controlling of AIDS, drug abuse and combating human trafficking and slave trade.

So far, Ukraine has signed and ratified more than 60 conventions, among them the European Cultural Convention, European Framework Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation among territorial communities or authorities, European Convention on Information about Foreign Legislation, six crime control conventions, and Framework Convention on Protecting National Minorities.

Human rights

Ukraine is a rather new country, so it has struggled socially, economically, and politically in its alteration to a democratic and free-market society. In this process, human rights often weren’t considered as much as they should be. The situation improved after November’s 2004 so-called “Orange Revolution”. Ukraine's new president has promised "I will do all I can to make democratic changes in my country irreversible so that the fundamental principles of the Council of Europe---protection of human rights, pluralistic democracy, and the rule of law prevail in our country."

Ukraine is a state which to date has signed several important United Nations international conventions and treaties on human rights, among others International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment etc.

International security

Ukraine is a member of many international organisations who fight against terrorism, other security threats and international crime. Fruitful cooperation between Ukraine, the Council of Europe and the European Commission is evidenced by the implementation of numerous international treaties concerning this area, among others Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism, the Council of Europe Convention for the prevention of terrorism, Additional Protocol to the Agreement between Ukraine and IAAE on increasing the effectiveness of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime etc. Considering the necessity to implement new international standards in eradicating the financing of terrorism several laws of Ukraine were amended accordingly.

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