Current problems of Europe

Among two blocks: The factors of balancing by Belarus and Ukraine between Russia and the European Union in 1991–2014

Скриба А.С.

Skriba A.S. – candidate of sciences (Ph.D in political sciences), researcher, Center for comprehensive European and international studies, Higher school of economics.

Abstract

Viewing conflicts between Russia and the European Union, as well as the updating integration agenda of the EU for the countries of the «Eastern Partnership», Ukraine and Belarus are becoming extremely interesting for international studies. However, current efforts to assess and predict policy of Minsk and Kiev are often face the current situation as a starting point. This article is an attempt to find as diverse as possible causes and factors of the foreign policy of the Belarusian and Ukrainian authorities. Among them – political system, economic interests and interest groups, the public mood and the ability of society to influence public policy.

Keywords

Belarus, Ukraine, foreign policy, political system, regional integration.

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