Стратегічна панорама (Aug 2018)

SOME ASPECTS OF UKRAINE’S FOREIGN POLICY: REGARDING A CHOICE OF GEOECONOMIC PRIORITIES

  • Oleksandr Sharov

Journal volume & issue
no. 2
pp. 12 – 19

Abstract

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The article examines the opportunities and risks that arise as a result of Ukraine’s choice of geo-economic priorities in the triangle: the EU – the US – the Far East. At the same time, the author proceeds from the fact that the defining direction of Ukraine’s foreign economic policy for the near future (as well as the long run) remains cooperation with the countries of Western Europe. It is argued that the European integration modality of Ukraine is due to the vital necessity of adapting to the modern system of a globalized society, which requires more active participation of the country in global economic processes. At the same time, relations with the United States of America are of special significance for Ukraine, because the USA political strategy plays an extremely important role not only for themselves but for other countries of the world too. This also applies directly to Ukraine, in particular, from the point of view of foreign economic risks that may be caused by certain actions or intentions of the United States. In spite of opinion of some critics of the US President, one can be certain that D. Trump and his immediate political environment have a "Great Strategy" – although perhaps it is not yet fully elaborated and agreed upon in all its constituent elements. Even more, one can expect further transformation of the United States’ foreign economic strategy towards mitigation of "anti-globalist" rhetoric and the search for "points of contact" with partners in the Pacific and the North Atlantic areas, as well as increasing attention to the political aspects of economic problems. The article analyzes the main aspects of such a strategy and makes certain conclusions regarding its importance for Ukraine. In addition, new conditions for cooperation with countries in other regions of the world were analyzed and it was concluded that the countries of the Far East could be of greatest interest to this point of view: the question is not so much about China, but about relations with South Korea and Japan, which are more in concordance with the strategic interests of Ukraine. The article also gives some recommendations.

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