RELATIONS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND ROMANIA: THE IMPACT OF THE EU AND RUSSIA’S POLICY
RELATIONS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND ROMANIA: THE IMPACT OF THE EU AND RUSSIA’S POLICY

Summary/Abstract: The article explores the Ukraine-Romania relationship evolution focusing on the impact of the European Union and the Russian Federation policy. Since 1992 when the diplomatic relations have been established it has been transformed from the problematic and inconsistent up to the “best friends” and allies in the Wider Black Sea region. Among the factors that have influenced the dialogue of Kyiv and Bucharest the EU enlargement to the East and Russian strategy towards Ukraine and the Black Sea are considered as the most potent. Regarding the EU neighbourhood policy instruments, the soft and sensitive issues of the bilateral relations are covered by the cross-border cooperation that is gradually improving and warming-up the interstate and communities’ connection. At the same time Russia’s annexation of Crimea and aggressive policy in the Black Sea region was an impetus that made Ukraine and Romania to work out the strategic alliance and joint actions to ensure security and defence of the two countries and the region as whole. Summing up the previous experience and current priorities of Ukraine and Romania, the obstacles and windows of opportunity for fulfilling the strategic relationship with the real content are identified.

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