Ukraine and EU: The Politics of Changing Generations

The document examines Ukraine's pursuit of EU and NATO integration, contrasting the assertive rhetoric of the Poroshenko administration (2014-2019) with the more pragmatic, technocratic approach of the Zelensky administration (2019-present). It details the 'three pillars' of Poroshenko's strategy—pro-integration rhetoric, technical harmonisation with EU/NATO standards, and expanding third-country partnerships—and notes that Zelensky has shifted priority toward sectoral integration in digital, energy, and customs markets. The text also discusses the challenges of the war in Donbas, the Normandy Four diplomatic framework, and the potential for the European Green Deal to serve as a framework for future Ukraine-EU cooperation.

• Under President Petro Poroshenko (2014-2019), Ukraine's push for EU and NATO integration rested on three pillars: assertive pro-integration rhetoric, technical implementation of the EU Association Agreement and NATO standards, and the development of new partnerships with third countries.
• President Volodymyr Zelensky's administration has shifted its tactical focus toward the 'technocratic pillar,' prioritising pragmatic sectoral integration in energy, customs, and digital markets, as well as increasing energy efficiency and battling climate change.
• Public support for EU integration in Ukraine remained high, with a November 2019 poll showing 53% support for EU integration compared to 13% for the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union.
• Diplomatic efforts via the Normandy Four framework have achieved tactical progress, such as prisoner swaps and troop withdrawals, but have failed to reach strategic solutions regarding the conflict in Eastern Ukraine and the status of the border.
• The European Green Deal is identified as a potential framework for new political generations in Ukraine and the EU to establish contacts and address common environmental challenges.

APA

Korbut, A. (2020). Ukraine and EU: The Politics of Changing Generations. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/ukraine-and-eu-the-politics-of-changing-generations/

Chicago

Korbut, Anna. Ukraine and EU: The Politics of Changing Generations. Green European Journal, 2020. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/ukraine-and-eu-the-politics-of-changing-generations/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Korbut |first1=Anna |title=Ukraine and EU: The Politics of Changing Generations |publisher=Green European Journal |date=6 February 2020 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/ukraine-and-eu-the-politics-of-changing-generations/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{korbut2020ukraine, author = {Korbut, Anna}, title = {{Ukraine and EU: The Politics of Changing Generations}}, institution = {Green European Journal}, year = {2020}, month = feb, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/ukraine-and-eu-the-politics-of-changing-generations/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }