Since gaining independence in 1991 why has Ukraine remained in a state of perpetual crisis management? (eBook)

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2018 in the subject Politics - Region: Eastern Europe, Coventry University, language: English, abstract: First the dissertation will produce a case study questioning how Lithuania was able to severe ties with Russia, post-independence, compared to Ukraine? Then in order to contextualize the four problem areas, reference will be made to Ukraine’s four post-independent presidents; Leonid Kravchuk (1991-1994), Leonid Kuchma (1994-2005) in chapter 2, and Viktor Yushchenko (2005-2010) and Viktor Yanukovych (2010-2014) in chapter 3. In conclusion the dissertation will argue that twenty-seven years of perpetual crisis management is due to the inaction of Ukraine’s post-independent presidents to tackle Kleptocratic-oligarchy, Identity, Dependency and Security, as areas identified for stifling the nations progress.

Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 promised to be a fresh start for Ukraine and its peoples; a sovereign nation with the ability to pave its own destiny, free from the bloodied shackles of its Communist past. A nationwide referendum solidified the Ukrainian parliament’s declaration of independence garnering an irrefutable show of support for statehood.

Twenty-two years since gaining independence Ukraine was set to sign a landmark, comprehensive Association Agreement with the European Union; an agreement seen by many to represent the first phase of Ukraine’s alignment with the Western world. Even Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych had euphorically proclaimed “we [Ukraine] are walking towards Europe”. However by August 2013, with three months to go before the official signing of the deal, Russia implemented a de facto trade embargo on Ukrainian exports, in addition, the EU demanded the immediate release of jailed opposition leader, Yulia Tymoshenko, a move Yanukovych flat out rejected. Facing stalemate on both fronts, on the 21st November 2013 Ukrainian Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov, announced the suspension of preparations to sign the EU Association Agreement, opting instead for closer alignment with Russia.