The head of the Euro-2012 Ukraine local organising committee Markiyan Lubkivskyi called Ukraine’s preparation for the soccer “the peculiar rehearsal of Ukraine’s entering to the EU”. “By preparation for the soccer we have reached new standards not only in the infrastructure – modern stadiums, airports, hotels, but in the life of common people”, he said [...]

The EU-Ukraine association agreement scheduled for initialling on March, 30. There are two news concerned with this event: good and bad. The good one it that the association agreement will be ready for signing. Difficult and sometimes dramatic negotiations, lasted four and half years, will be resulted in ready text. The bad one is that [...]

Chairperson of the Institute of Ukrainian Policy Kost Bondarenko in his article Ukraine: Isolation is not the way forward (EurActiv, November,8) argues that Tymoshenko trial is purely criminal case without any politics. He writes that for the EU would be a mistake to isolate Ukraine because of imprisonment of former premier and opposition leader. It [...]

About 52% Ukrainian citizens wish Ukraine to join European Union accordingly to recent poll, conducted by Razumkov center. If they would need to choose between the EU and Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus’, nearly 44% would prefer Europe and 31% would see Ukraine in Eurasian organization. There is big support of the European [...]

It is always interesting to read about perspective of visa-free travel for the Ukrainians. Special report “Ukraine ups ante in EU visa-free travel talks” by Georgi Gotev (EurActiv, Seprember,15) quite well describes current situation. I just would like to share with some own considerations. Doubtless, visa issue is one of the most important in EU-Ukraine [...]

Commission’s President Jose Manuel Barroso listed EU’s priorities for the Autumn. In particular he stressed on the need of Union’s help for Libya – „country emerging from 42 years of dictatorship into what we must all ensure is a bright, democratic future”, Barroso said in his video message. Of course, Libya is very important. Hopefully, [...]

Just a few weeks ago, the main intrigue of Mrs. Tymoshenko trial was whether Ukrainian president Yanukovych will decide on her arrest or she would remain on freedom to the end of trial. Frankly, arrest looked improbable, as well as further jailing, including through unanimous position of the European Union, USA and other western democracies. [...]

At the end of past week former Ukrainian premier Yulia Tymoshenko went on the trial. She is accused of abusing power while signing the 2009 gas agreements with Russia and can be sentenced for 7-10 years of imprisonment. This is one of the two intriguing processes, each of that to have substantial consequences for the [...]