«EU Projects and Initiatives to Support Ukraine (2014-2023)»
Students Name: Skoropad Bozhena Ivanivna
Qualification Level: magister
Speciality: International Relations
Institute: Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Mode of Study: full
Academic Year: 2023-2024 н.р.
Language of Defence: ukrainian
Abstract: he work analyzes the implementation of projects, programs and initiatives of the European Union to support Ukraine in the context of Russian armed aggression (2014-2023). The EU’s response to Russia’s unprovoked armed aggression against Ukraine is highlighted. The source base and the state of research of the problem were analyzed, in particular, the following classification of them was presented: normative legal acts, official statements of EU leaders, official websites, monographs, analytical reports, news resources, as well as current developments of both Ukrainian and foreign researchers. The reaction of the EU leaders to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine can be described in the following areas: forms of European assistance to Ukraine, such as diplomatic, political, legal, military, economic, humanitarian, the introduction of a rehabilitation regime against Russia (12 package of sanctions), Brussels’ cooperation with other international organizations, such as the UN, NATO and the IMF, to jointly respond to the situation in Ukraine. The scope and nature of the support provided, including sanctions, diplomatic efforts and other tools that were used to respond to complex security challenges in the region, were examined. The main legal principles and instruments that determined cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine were considered, including, mainly, the Association Agreement, the free trade zone and the recommendations of the European Commission for further cooperation (seven recommendations). The work outlines that the European Union is promoting critical projects, initiatives and programs for Ukraine in the context of the Russian war, namely in the spheres: economy, energy, military support and the humanitarian sector. The financial instruments and projects that the European Union implemented to support Ukraine were considered: macro-financial assistance to stabilize the economic situation in Ukraine, grant programs to support specific projects, investment programs aimed at attracting investments in various spheres and lending to support small and medium-sized businesses. The dimension of the EU’s military support towards Ukraine, which was manifested in the form of exercises and trainings of the Ukrainian military, participation in missions organized by the European Union and the signing of agreements and initiatives on the supply of military equipment and equipment by the EU (European Peace Fund, EU mission EUMAM, International Center for the Prosecution of Crimes of Aggression (ICPA) at Eurojust in The Hague), was clarified. The projects aimed at supporting the energy sector of Ukraine, supporting the development and implementation of renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, modernization and development of the energy infrastructure of Ukraine are analyzed. Initiatives to provide humanitarian assistance aimed at supporting internally displaced persons affected by war and refugees, educational programs to support the educational process during the war in Ukraine (Ukraine’s involvement in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism) were presented. Some initiatives are considered, within the limits of which the EU’s support for Ukraine is the most ambitious during the war. Threats, challenges and opportunities for further cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union are investigated. The probable scenarios of development of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU are represented. Study object – relations between Ukraine and the EU during the Russian-Ukrainian war. Scope of research - key areas, projects, programs and initiatives of the EU aimed at supporting Ukraine in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war of 2014-2023. Goal of research - the study consists in a comprehensive review and analysis of EU initiatives and projects implemented by the organization to support Ukraine. It is summarized that the implementation of projects, programs and initiatives of the European Union to support Ukraine, especially intensified since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, compared to 2014. The key here is the level of political support for Ukraine from Brussels, namely, granting the status of a candidate for EU membership to our state, as well as the recommendation of the European Commission to start negotiations with Kyiv on EU membership. Despite this, we also conclude about the EU’s systematic and permanent support of Ukraine in various spheres, such as: political, legal, economic, military and humanitarian through the prism of the implementation of certain projects, initiatives and programs, which allows Ukraine to be more stable and counteract Russian aggression. Today, there are already quite active discussions on the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine with the participation of the EU. Key words: EU, Ukraine, projects, energy, military support, humanitarian assistance. Reference. Бояр, А., Кицюк, І., Романюк, Н. (2023). Зелений і безпечний Європейський Союз. Монографія. Луцьк. 594 с. Lazarou, Е., Pichon, Е. (2023). Peace and Security in 2023. Members’ Research Service. 104 с. Commission staff working document : General Guidelines on Operational Priorities for Humanitarian Aid in 2023. Retrieved from: https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022- 11/swd_2022_352_f1_staff_working_paper_en_v3_p1_2313129.pdf European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. Retrieved from:https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/emergency-response-coordination-centre-ercc_en.