Eastern Journal of European Studies

 Bartosz Czepil,  Oksana Krayevska,  Marina Andeva

 Bartosz Czepil,  Jarosław Jańczak

ABSTRACT: After the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Poland has become one of the top destinations for Ukrainian refugees, attracting international attention and recognition for its humanitarian attitude. However, this positive picture should be confronted with the analysis of the Ukrainian refugees' situation in a more holistic manner, taking into consideration the evolution of the multidimensional surroundings of the refugees and problems they face in the long run. Therefore, this article's aim is to picture the Ukrainian refugees' situation and how it has changed over time. It argues that the Polish state was not prepared for the massive influx of Ukrainian refugees, and the relatively smooth reception of them was possible thanks to the forces of local government and civil society. Almost two years after the beginning of the invasion, there are still a variety of challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees without any systemic, government-organized approach to tackle them.

KEYWORDS: Ukraine, Poland, immigration policy, refugees, civil society,

Pages: 14-51 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI02

 Cristian Incaltarau, Alexandru Mocernac

ABSTRACT:  Russia's aggression against Ukraine has triggered significant asylum flows, with Romania emerging as a primary corridor for Ukrainian refugees due to its extensive border shared with Ukraine. Against this backdrop, the study examines the actions taken by the Romanian Government and NGOs in response to the influx of Ukrainian refugees. Relying on documentary research, our findings revealed that most refugees sought temporary protection, while only a minority also pursued asylum. Although the Romanian state's response to the refugee crisis was effective, it faced initial delays, indicating both centralized power and unpreparedness for unexpected events. However, the civil society's active involvement compensated for governmental shortcomings. Nonetheless, for a smoother immigration and refugee integration process and a swift reaction, clarifying the current legislation in Romania is essential. Furthermore, the strong EU citizen support for both a common European Policy on migration and a common European Asylum system indicate that this is an opportune moment for such discussions.

KEYWORDS: refugees, Ukraine, immigration, civil society, public opinion,

Pages: 52-88 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI03

 Kateřina Zenkova Rudincova,  Lukas Vomlela

ABSTRACT: The aim of the paper is to evaluate current Czech immigration and also integration policies with the reflection of the most influential actors such as the Czech Ministry of Interior and their response to the influx of refugees from Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2022. Special attention is paid to the role of the Regional Assistance Centers for Help (KACPUs), established in response to the general need to coordinate assistance provided to larger numbers of refugees. The text is a single-case study based on the document analysis complemented by expert interviews. The main finding of the paper is that the response to the influx of refugees from Ukraine was exceptional and contextual. The integration of refugees from Ukraine was possible only thanks to the flexible reaction of various institutional actors at the beginning of the war.

KEYWORDS: immigration policy, integration policy, Ukraine, refugees, Czech Republic,

Pages: 89-112 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI04

 Olha Stoliaryk,  Tetyana Semigina

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the challenges faced by migrant families raising children with disabilities during the Russo-Ukrainian War and subsequent mass migration to European Union countries. Drawing on critical refugee studies, critical disability studies, and resilience theory, the study explores the intersecting factors influencing their experiences. Findings from interviews with 30 respondents relocated to 6 countries (the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Hungary, Italy, and Poland) reveal significant barriers to accessing essential services, navigating bureaucratic processes, and adapting to new environments. Despite these challenges, families exhibit remarkable resilience and resourcefulness. Recommendations include enhancing support systems, promoting dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, and defining mechanisms for responsibility sharing among EU countries. The study underscores the urgent need for inclusive policies and robust support structures to address the unique needs of migrant families raising children with disabilities in forced migration contexts.

KEYWORDS: forced migration, Ukrainian refugees, children with disabilities, inclusive policies, support systems,

Pages: 113-133 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI05

 Anatoliy Khudoliy,  Vadym Zheltovskyy

ABSTRACT: The main purpose of the article is to analyse the issue of Ukraine's accession to the European Union in the political discourse of the Visegrad Group and Baltic states' leaders and its impact on the transformation of the EU foreign policy agenda. Based on the analysis of selected speeches delivered by heads of states and governments of the above-mentioned countries, the authors focus on explaining their vision on the need to reform the EU's foreign policy in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to the issue of future EU enlargement in the context of Ukraine's potential accession. Furthermore, the research concentrates on the reflection of the proposed vision in the official position of the EU institutions. By doing so, an attempt is made so as to answer the research question on the transformational potential of Central European and Baltic states' leaders in the decision- making process on the EU foreign policy reform.

KEYWORDS: Ukraine, European Union, Visegrad Group, Baltic states, political discourse,

Pages: 134-154 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI06 

 Olexiy Moroz

ABSTRACT: Attitudes toward Kosovo's independence divide the international community. Kosovo chose joining the EU as its strategic goal, which coincided with the intention of the European Union to integrate the entire region of the Western Balkans. However, achieving this goal is impossible without a political settlement between Serbia and Kosovo. The article analyses the role of the EU as the main mediator in the Kosovo and Serbia negotiations. It was noted that Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine prompted the EU to intensify efforts to promote the European integration of Kosovo and Serbia. The attitude of Kyiv to the Kosovo problem was also in the focus of attention. It is shown that Ukraine avoided recognizing the independence of Kosovo primarily because of the potential negative impact of such a step on the position of Ukrainian diplomacy in countering the territorial encroachments of Moscow. However, the war with Russia weakens the significance of this argument.

KEYWORDS: European Union, Kosovo, Serbia, Ukraine, war, Russia,

Pages: 155-171 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI07

 Alla Fedorova,  Ondrej Hamuľak

ABSTRACT: The achievement of the EU candidate status by Ukraine during the war gave it a new impetus for providing further approximation of the national legislation to the EU acquis, including in the social sphere. Consequently, this research focuses on the analysis of alignment of the Ukrainian social legislation with the EU law in the pre-war period and scrutinises the European Commission's low mark of the progress made in this sphere after the beginning of the war. Considering the new challenges that arose due to the war, which highlighted the extreme importance of social protection, the authors outlined the key current problems in the social sphere in Ukraine and the main obstacles in providing social reforms in accordance with European social standards in the martial period of time. According to the results, the authors put forward their vision of whether social reforms are needed in Ukraine in times of war or not.   Keywords: acquis, EU integration, social legislation, EU social standards, full-scale Russian aggression

KEYWORDS: acquis, EU integration, social legislation, EU social standards, full-scale Russian aggression,

Pages: 172-191 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI08

 Markiyan Malskyy,  Nataliya Antonyuk,  Marianna Gladysh,  Oksana Krayevska

ABSTRACT: This article argues that the Ukraine-EU summits have served as one of the effective political instruments of cooperation, contributing significantly to advancing the shared goals of both sides. By analyzing the evolution of these summits in the 1990s and after signing the Association Agreement, and their impact on both domestic and regional dynamics, this article will shed light on the multifaceted contributions of this institutional mechanism to the Ukraine-EU partnership. These summits serve as platforms for high-level political dialogue, setting the strategic direction for the bilateral relationship and monitoring progress in AA implementation. Examining the effectiveness of Ukraine-EU summits necessitates not only acknowledging their achievements but also critically evaluating their limitations and challenges. This article delves into these complexities, highlighting both the success stories and areas for improvement. Ultimately, it seeks to offer insights into the future of this vital partnership, considering the current geopolitical landscape and the ever-evolving needs of both Ukraine and the EU.

KEYWORDS: EU, Ukraine, Summit, Association Agreement, implementation,

Pages: 191-212 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI09

 Julia Korniichuk

ABSTRACT: The aim of this article is to examine the transformations that have occurred within the Ukrainian Orthodox community in response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, within the broader context of Ukraine's aspirations for European integration. Specifically, it focuses on the changes and diversification of the overall perception of Europe as a political community and Ukraine's position within it, the conflicts arising from the implementation of this vision, and the adaptation of it within the church (using the example of the calendar reform introduced in 2023). The study primarily relies on contextual and discourse analyses of texts from the two largest Ukrainian Orthodox churches: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, as well as the inter-religious All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations.

KEYWORDS: Russia's war against Ukraine, Orthodox Church, religion and politics, secularisation, Orthodoxy and European integration,

Pages: 213-231 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI10

 Valentin Naumescu

ABSTRACT: Combining EU and NATO analyses is useful for projecting an integrated vision for the future of Europe. The topic of a new EU enlargement got political momentum after 2022, more than 20 years after the previous wave of optimism and interest for the post-communist Central and Eastern European countries. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is certainly the main reason of this renewed interest. The European Council of mid-December 2023 decided to open the negotiations for EU accession with two new candidates, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, marking this way a historic shift of the EU enlargement policy in relation to the post-Soviet republics, after the accession of the Baltic States in 2004. This research explores the turbulent context in which both the EU and NATO should shape their convergent perspectives for the next institutional reforms, not only limited to enlargement(s) but also regarding the new (external as well as internal) contestations and revisionism. The article also deals with the major challenges of the international security context and addresses an essential question - Does Europe need a Plan B?

KEYWORDS: EU, NATO, enlargement, war, Ukraine, Russia,

Pages: 232-246 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI11

 Andrea Schmidt,  Viktor Glied

ABSTRACT: The steps of the foreign policy of the Hungarian government are considered a series of interest-driven, super-pragmatic decisions that consist of ideology-based considerations, but mainly serve pure political and economic interests to broaden the room for international manoeuvres. This study explains the driving forces of pragmatic Hungarian foreign policy thinking, especially how this idea shifted in the light of the Russian-Ukrainian war as the most overwhelming crisis for Europe. The consistent behaviour of Hungarian diplomacy and mutual distrust increased the tension between Hungary and its allies, the EU, and NATO. The analysis used the elements of critical discourse analysis to introduce and help understand the foreign policy strategy of Hungary.

KEYWORDS: pragmatism, Hungary, foreign policy, Russian-Ukrainian war,

Pages: 247-267 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI12

 Petro Sukhorolskyi,  Iryna Sukhorolska

ABSTRACT: The paper deals with the study of Ukraine's public diplomacy in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The research looks into the environment, actors, and goals of the contemporary public diplomacy of vulnerable states and substantiates the high relevance of the concept of reputational security by Nicholas J. Cull for the better understanding and improvement of Ukraine's communication with foreign publics. Based on studying tripartite interaction (involving Ukraine, which carries out public diplomacy, target groups in foreign counties, and the enemy represented by Russia and its allies), seven levels of reputational security are identified. Each of them corresponds to a different reaction of foreign publics to events within the country, ranging from indifference to joint resistance to threats. A model of the country's reputational security, which combines its level of reputational security with recommendations for its public diplomacy and actions of a hostile third party, is developed.

KEYWORDS: reputational security, public diplomacy, Russian-Ukrainian war, image of a country, propaganda,

Pages: 268-291 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI13

 Tomasz Marcinkowski,  Juliusz Sikorski,  Lukas Vomlela

ABSTRACT: The article examines the impact of the war in Ukraine on the sense of security among university students in Poland and the Czech Republic, comparing their perceptions and susceptibility to disinformation. The study reveals that while the majority of students in both countries feel safe, a significant portion experienced increased fear immediately after the war began. The research highlights the differences in attitudes toward the European Union's and national governments' actions, with Czech students generally more positive. Additionally, the study finds a concerning level of belief in conspiracy theories related to the war, especially among Polish students. The article emphasizes the need for further research to understand the interplay between disinformation, security perceptions, and political attitudes in these countries.

KEYWORDS: war in Ukraine, security, disinformation 

Pages: 292-316 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI14

 Tetiana Zinovieva

ABSTRACT: This article focuses on the visual narratives of Ukrainian war-themed video games, analysing how they depict the Russia-Ukraine war and contribute to the national narrative of resistance and resilience. Using cultural, structuralist and critical approaches, the research examines the portrayal of cultural heroes, chronotypes, values, and carnival mechanisms in these visual narratives. This article analyses how visual elements in Ukrainian video games reflect and respond to contemporary socio-political realities and how Ukrainian game developers navigate the complexities of their nation's history, memory, and identity while contributing to ongoing discourses surrounding resistance and resilience. The study identifies key Ukrainian narratives: the sanctity of Ukraine's borders (map), new war topos, and the invasion-centred timeline; Ukraine's global mission against evil; individual contributions to national victory; and the carnivalesque nature of the Ukrainian culture. Computer game narratives deconstruct enemy propaganda, highlight Ukraine's resilience, and inform the global community about events in Ukraine.

KEYWORDS: video games, visual narratives, national narratives, Russian-Ukrainian war, deconstruction of propaganda, post-truth,

Pages: 317-339 | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI15

  Hynek Bohm 

Pages: 340-343  | Full text (PDF)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47743/ejes-2024-SI16