Geopolitical problems in Polish-Ukrainian relations.

Abstract

The article characterizes the main aspects of geopolitical relations between Poland and Ukraine. It presents a Russian impact on Ukrainian politics, the EU’s intention to affect the orientation of Ukraine and NATO’s ambitions on the eastern flank. The article indicates the transformations of the new statehood of Ukraine and its relationship with the environment. Russia makes the strongest political and economic impact on Ukraine. Russia has subdued Crimea, supports the rebellion in the east of Ukraine and seeks to maintain influence on the future orientation of the country. Geopolitical impacts of the European Union and NATO are more limited. In direct Polish-Ukrainian relations there is a Polish support for Ukrainian independence and the new government, elected after the events on the Maidan at the end of 2013 and in 2014. The effects of geopolitical conflict over the lands of Volyn and Eastern Galicia and disputes about land Zakierzonia (located west of the so-called Curzon line) put a shadow on these relations. The new Ukrainian authorities emphasize the activities of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) that contributed to the ethnic cleansing of Polish population. The effects of forced relocation of the Ukrainian population as part of the “Vistula” operation in 1947 are not comparable