The role of Ukrainian "traditional" Churches in the transformational processes of transition from the totalitarian to the democratic system of Ukraine (1989 – 2005)

The article analyzes the participation of the Churches of the Kyiv tradition (these include the UGCC, UOC-MP, UOC-KP, UAOC) in the processes of transition of Ukrainian society from a totalitarian to a democratic system. During this period, the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine's independence and a large-scale democratic Orange Revolution took place. Undoubtedly, just as the Ukrainian Churches joined these events, so did the socio-political vicissitudes themselves influence the formation of the identity and positioning of many Christian denominations. The author considers the role of the UGCC and UAOC in the processes of national uplift and establishment of Ukrainian statehood in the late 80's of the XX century. Given that, the religious factor played an important role in the collapse of the totalitarian state and the establishment of Ukrainian statehood. At the beginning of independence, sovereign Ukraine faced the path of geopolitical choice, and eventually the scales prevailed in the direction of European integration, which gradually began to play an important role in shaping the country's foreign policy. The author finds out the cultural and religious reasons for the geopolitical choice of the majority of Ukrainians. One of the conclusions in the article is the fact that the Ukrainian Churches undoubtedly fall into the field of geopolitical confrontation, some of them choose the path of supporting the European integration process; others, on the contrary, argue in favor of the pro-Russian vector. This civilizational confrontation in society led to the Orange Revolution. As the Churches integrate into public life, one can observe their involvement in the events on Maidan in 2004. The events of the Orange Revolution contributed to the revival of democratic processes in Ukraine. And the experience gained by churches in participating in socio-political vicissitudes has helped to improve communication between churches, rethink their relationship with the state and form new relationships with society.

The Problem of Regional Identity as a Factor in the Socio-Political Crisis in Ukraine in 2004

The article is devoted to the role of regional identity in the development of the socio-political crisis in Ukraine in autumn and winter of 2004, known in scientific literature as the “Orange revolution”. The authors analyze the controversial historical past of the territories that were united by the country that gained independence in 1991, and its influence on the development of processes in the field of national-state construction of modern Ukraine. The article considers the attempts of the Ukrainian authorities to develop a single national idea based on the concepts of “ukrainianness”, “sobornost” and unitarity. The leading role in this process was played by the most extreme western regions, which had their own, sometimes radically different from other regions of the country, interpretation of issues of historical memory. In practical terms, this meant the implementation of a policy of Ukrainization, especially in the field of education, which caused discontent among residents of Russian-speaking regions. The authors conclude that the unresolved problem of regional identity during the years of independence played an important role during the “Orange revolution”, which ended with an unconstitutional regime change in this Eastern European country.

Роль Польщі у трансформації європейської східної політики після Холодної війни

Poland’s eastern policy focused on three interrelated issues: Polish-German reconciliation; the recognition of the first declaration of independence of the Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania and their new borders, with emphasis on the strategic importance of these declarations for Polish sovereignty; and the attempts to establish strong relations with these countries. One of the goals of Poland’s eastern policy was to establish a free and democratic Poland in a democratic and peaceful Europe, and these efforts paved the way to reconciliation with Germany and Poland’s admission to the NATO and the European Union. Poland’s eastern policy before and after Poland’s accession to the EU was shaped by several factors. Firstly, Poland had to fulfil the requirements for EU membership, whereas the EU had to meet Poland’s demands. Secondly, Poland had made several attempts to initiate institutional changesin the EU before it became an EU Member State. Thirdly, Poland’s eastern policy was influenced by the Ukrainian political crisis of 2004 and its outcome, in particular Polish involvement in the Orange Revolution (2004) in the Ukraine. According to most Polish observers, the EU’s involvement in the Ukrainian crisis testified to the absence of a cohesive eastern policy in the EU.

UKRAINE’S IMAGE IN THE FRENCH MEDIA DURING THE EVENTS OF 2004

The article examines the formation of the image of Ukraine by the French media during the Orange Revolution. The main factors influencing the tone of publications and difficulties in creating a positive external image of Ukraine in the French media are identified. The article is aimed at the analysis of scientific research on the influence of the French media on the formation of the image of Ukraine and its role in international socio-political processes. The study analyzes the materials of French journalists in the media, written during the events in 2004. The main factors influencing the formation of positive features of the Ukrainian state are identified. The main changes in perceptions of Ukraine in the French media are systematized. The influence of the media on the formation of the image and security of the state is determined. The main peaks of interest in Ukraine from foreign mass media are analyzed. Stereotypes and myths in the image of Ukraine that should be destroyed have been identified. The article also analyzes the role of the Orange Revolution in forming a positive image of Ukraine for foreign recipients. It is also investigated what factors influence the information space of the state and its role in image formation. Examples of Russian influence on the French media in order to undermine Ukraine’s image at the international level are given. Articles, radio and TV materials are offered as an example of interest and attention to the events of 2004. At the same time, the need to control the information that enters the information space outside Ukraine has been demonstrated. However, the positive effects of the image on the support of Ukraine by foreign partners have been identified.

Language and Identity in post-Soviet Ukraine: Transformation of an Unbroken Bond

Language has traditionally been a crucial component of Ukrainian identity. Given the lack of independent statehood, Ukrainian identity was primarily ethnocultural rather than civic. However, the contradictory policies of the Soviet regime produced a large-scale discrepancy between the language use and ethnocultural identity. Moreover, independence boosted Ukrainian civic identity and stimulated reconsideration of its relationship with the ethnocultural identity of the titular group. Although the Ukrainian language occupies a special place in both main versions of Ukrainian identity, it has to be reconciled with the continued reliance on Russian of about half of Ukraine’s citizens. At the same time, the perception of oneself as Ukrainian is gradually shifting from ethnocultural to civic, particularly among the young generations raised in independent Ukraine. Last but not least, the escalation of an identity struggle in the wake of the Orange Revolution led to different dynamics in the two parts of the country.

Revolution, Democratic Retrenchment, and the Middle Class

This chapter provides a background on Ukraine when it was struggling to consolidate democracy. It examines existing theories that expect human capital formation and a growing middle-class to enhance the autocratic middle-class prospects for democratization. By focusing on the case of Ukraine, it also explores whether dependence on the state for economic opportunities and life chances moderates middle-class demands for democratic institutions. The chapter uses a panel survey spanning the Orange Revolution, which assesses how the distinctive political orientations of different groups within the middle-class affected the nature of protest coalitions during Ukraine's 2004 democratic breakthrough. It makes use of a difference-in-differences design to demonstrate that reliance on the state for economic opportunity caused the political preferences of new labor market entrants to diverge.

CANADA’S PERCEPTION OF DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT IN INDEPENDENT UKRAINE

The article is devoted to a general overview of Canada's attitudes to the democratic development of post-Soviet Ukraine. The article examines the position and opinion of both official and diasporas’ Canada on the development of democracy in Ukraine. It is determined that Ukraine's independence was a kind of signal to the beginning of intensive Canadian cooperation and support for the Ukraine’s transition from a command-administrative economy to a free market. Another important area of support was the building of democratic institutions and civil society. Official Canadian assistance came through a number of channels, but the main institution was the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Another powerful force and initiator of many projects and support programs was the Ukrainian Diaspora in Canada. We can talk about three main events that contributed to the revival of attention from official Canada to Ukraine: the declaration of Independence in 1991, the Orange Revolution in 2004 and Euromaidan and the Revolution of Dignity in late 2013. Each of these events was positively assessed by Canada (as official and diasporas’), and was interpreted as an impetus for potential progress towards democracy. Despite the positive attitude to the development of transit to democracy in post-Soviet Ukraine, Canada is critical of the pace of this transit and the quality of transformation processes. At the same time, representatives of the Diaspora are more outspoken in their criticism of the problems in Ukraine. Among the main obstacles on this path we can name corruption, inhibition of reforms, institutional weakness, confrontation between supporters and opponents of reforms and regional clans since 2014. After the annexation of Crimea by Russia the external factor is also considered. Canada is helping Ukraine strongly in the fight against Russian aggression by providing technical, financial and diplomatic assistance.

The Orange Revolution and the Euromaidan

What did the two recent revolutions in Ukraine (2004 and 2013–2014) have in common? Both the Orange Revolution and the EuroMaidan were massive popular revolts that used Kyiv’s main square, the Maidan, as their central political stage. Both involved long standoffs with the authorities...