US policy towards Ukraine in current Ukrainian public opinion

Abstract

The article aims to make some generalization of the attitudes towards the United States of America in contemporary Ukraine with main focus on the years 2014-2017. The research is based on the data of the public opinion polls, statistics, materials of the pre-election political campaigns, state documents (national security strategy, military doctrine, etc.). The authors tried to evaluate the place that America (the U.S.A.) hold within the Ukrainian foreign policy perceptions. In this regard, the attitudes towards the U.S.A. and those towards Europe, Russian federation, and NATO have been compared. Is there any connection between the USA and ways to solve major security problems? What kinds of attitudes towards the USA are dominant among Ukrainians? Is America reflected in Ukrainian political discourse (for example in domestic pre-election campaigns)? It is concluded that the Ukrainian attitudes towards the USA exist within the dichotomy East (Russia) – West (Europe, USA). For the majority of Ukrainians – Europe, not America is the main foreign policy priority. America is primarily associated in public opinion either with the West in general, or with NATO. The attitudes towards NATO have been very controversial for a long time, but from 2014 the orientation for NATO membership is prevailing in the Ukrainian society as the best way to ensure national security. NATO (which is directly affiliated in minds with America) in Ukrainian public opinion is more favorable and important than th USA itself. While neutral (ignorant) attitudes towards America, pro-Americanism and anti-Americanism coexist in Ukraine, Ukrainians have mostly positive opinion about America.

Keywords

• usa
• ukraine
• public opinion
• west-east dichotomy