Samenvatting

Even before the current issue in Ukraine started, the country had to choose between the European Union and the Russian Federation. Russia wanted Ukraine in its own union, and Europe wanted closer cooperation with Ukraine in the form of an agreement. The European Union does not have any perspective for Ukraine on a future membership, while Ukraine would become a full member of the Eurasian Union. However, for Ukraine’s economy, cooperation with the European Union would bring more advantages in economics, technology development, and political reformations. The rejection of the European Association Agreement by the former Ukrainian President Yanukovych caused protests in Ukraine by the pro-European population, protests that slowly turned into fights on pro-Russian and pro-European side. After a voting by the Ukrainian parliament, Yanukovych was outvoted and fled to Russia. The interim government that followed up and they signed the agreement. Russia’s rage about this caused the annexation of Crimea, and Russia is not planning on giving back the peninsula. The Ukrainian provinces Donetsk and Lugansk held a referendum on gaining independence, and the majority of the population was in favour of this. Though, Russia does not respond to the request these provinces to merge with Russia. In the two provinces, as well as in other parts of East-Ukraine, fights are still ongoing and even the Ukrainian army is fighting against these rebels. The fact that Russia has not accepted the two provinces with a great ethnic Russian minority living in it, is remarkable. The Russian intentions are mainly based on re-gathering the former Soviet space, or as Russia claims it: ‘protecting the ethnic Russian’s’. The relationship between the EU and Russia is heavily influenced by this whole situation. Russia and EU are important trading partners, and the EU has already imposed sanctions towards Russia because of Russia’s actions. So far, Russia is only threatening to the EU, but has not imposed sanctions. But both sides have to be careful, because every action done by a side will harm itself. Nevertheless, Ukraine has made a great choice with signing the Association Agreement. This will provide Ukraine with the most advantages.