No. 151 - Political weakness of the European Union and its causes – the case of Ukraine.

Institute for Western Affairs' Bulletin (No.151/2013), Prof. Sebastian Wojciechowski, ‘Political weakness of the European Union and its causes - the case of Ukraine'.

A study of the causes which have led to Ukraine's decision to withdraw from signing the Association Agreement with the European Union in the late November 2013 should account for a wide range of diverse factors. The factors form a "web" of closely interrelated determinants and various contributing circumstances. The overwhelming majority of such factors have their root causes in Ukraine itself and in the policies of its government. The developments have also been affected by the approach of two external actors, i.e. the Russian Federation and the European Union. The purpose of this study is to identify the main causes of the European Union's current political weakness affecting its foreign policy in general and its foreign policy on Ukraine in particular.