Ukraine’s NATO integration in many ways is a product of a geopolitical power struggle between Russia and the US. As Sevsu Önder puts it, “from the perspective of Ukraine, NATO integration is simply...Show moreUkraine’s NATO integration in many ways is a product of a geopolitical power struggle between Russia and the US. As Sevsu Önder puts it, “from the perspective of Ukraine, NATO integration is simply a civilizational choice between Russia and the West to leave Russian geopolitical axis.” Since independence, and further intensified following 2008, the main way for Russia to impact this civilizational choice has been forming zones of influence and aligning Ukrainians, political elites, and the government against the possibility of NATO enlargement. Nevertheless, at the current point in time following the 2014 invasion of Crimea, it is hard to dispute that Ukraine is a lot more inclined towards NATO as opposed to Russia, and yet despite that a significant chunk of Ukraine was always against NATO which slowed down the process of NATOfication. Therefore, this essay will look at how much the factor of Russian influence affected the perception of NATO in Ukraine when compared towards other factors, raising the question of the extent to the perception of NATO enlargement shifted in Ukraine since independence despite Russian influence.Show less
This research aims to improve our understanding of the decision-making processes within the European Union (EU) concerning sanctions imposed on Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine....Show moreThis research aims to improve our understanding of the decision-making processes within the European Union (EU) concerning sanctions imposed on Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Through the implementation of a comprehensive framework, this research enables a thorough examination of the selection process for specific types of sanctions, their application across various sectors, and the consideration of exceptions. The study expands upon existing literature by integrating feedback effects into the framework, alongside normative, domestic political, and geopolitical factors, as well as diffusion effects. The findings underscore the significant influence of normative and geopolitical considerations, while also highlighting the constraints imposed by humanitarian and economic concerns. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a dynamic sanctions regime shaped by feedback mechanisms and evolving geopolitical dynamics. By providing a solid foundation, this study paves the way for future research efforts on sanction design. It enables comparisons with other entities that impose sanctions and facilitates the evaluation of diverse sanctioning instruments in terms of their effectiveness.Show less
