Quo Vadis? Polish-Ukrainian Relations in the Enlarging Europe, 1991–2004

This dissertation seeks to analyze the development of Polish-Ukrainian relations in the context of the EU and NATO enlargements. It examines changes in the relationship during 1991-2004, and evaluates major factors that influenced it. The study of Polish-Ukrainian relations in 1991-2004 is important not only from an historical and geopolitical perspective, but also within the context of institutionally enlarging Europe. Poland has been a NATO-member since 1999 and an EU-member since 2004. Ukraine is a member of neither. This turns the Polish-Ukrainian relationship into a relationship between two states, where one side is an insider and the other an outsider to the process of institutionalization of Europe. Review of the literature on the EU and NATO eastern enlargements and current scholarship on Polish-Ukrainian relations does not offer a sufficient framework for analysis of such a bilateral relationship. Four major factors of influence have been chosen for this study: security interests and foreign policy priorities of the two states; the EU and NATO policies of enlargement; the great powers\u27 interests in the region and their consequent relations with the two states; and the level of democratization of the two states. Based on these factors, four hypotheses are made and tested on three distinct periods of Polish-Ukrainian relations. The first period, 1991-1994 - declarative cooperation and lack of substantial cooperation, as Poland\u27s foreign policy focus became the pursuit of NATO and EU memberships. The second period, 1995-1999—strategic partnership, vigorous and practical in all spheres, as Poland\u27s invitation to join NATO became secured and its prospects for EU membership significantly improved. The third period, 2000-2004, stalled the strategic partnership through a mix of distancing and renewed need and support for each other, as Poland\u27s EU membership became closer and Ukraine marginalized due to its internal political problems. It is discovered, that the EU and NATO enlargements, the positions of Russia and the U.S. in the region, and the foreign policy priorities of Poland and Ukraine played the most crucial roles in determining the intensity of Polish-Ukrainian cooperation, while democratic development of Poland and Ukraine did not have a significant direct impact

2023 State of the Commonwealth Report

This is Old Dominion University\u27s ninth annual State of the Commonwealth Report. While it represents the work of many people connected in various ways to the University, the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of Old Dominion, its president, Brian Hemphill, Ph.D., the board of Visitors, the Strome College of Business or the generous donors who support the activities of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy. Our work seeks to contribute to the conversation about how Virginia can foster growth across the Commonwealth without glossing over the challenges we face. Instead of retreating into partisan enclaves where affirmation is sought over information, we want to encourage difficult conversations to improve economic outcomes for all of Virginia\u27s residents