Andriy Yermolayev, the President of the Ukrainian Institute for Strategic Studies, was advocating the above view in the discussion "Union, Russia, Ukraine - challenges for Europe's integration". He stated that the ratification in April of the Black Sea Fleet agreement in Crimea in exchange for a 30 percent discount on imported gas has nothing to do with Kiev’s aspirations with regards to Europe. – Europe’s nuclear safety depends on Ukraine’s good relations with Russia. Yermolayev, who is in charge of the Institute alongside the pro-Russia president ViktorYanukovych, assured that the gas conflict between these two countries in the beginning of last year affected the European Union as well. Yermolayev stated that Kiev was under an illusion of rapid EU accession and economic growth.
European speakers present at the debate admitted that the EU has the right to decide who would be its member and who wouldn’t. – The Union is supposed to take pragmatic actions, and the Ukraine is in a good position as no one can dictate what it should do – said Professor Paolo Calzini from the John Hopkins university in Italy.
Accoring to Marek Kuchcinski, the Vice Marshal of the Seym, Brussels should intensify its actions towards countries in the post-Soviet region, including the Ukraine, Georgia or Moldova, which have pro-Western aspirations. – The Eastern Partnership project is a weak instrument. Kuchcinski emphasized that the grant of 600 mln Euros in the years 2010-2013 for the implementation of the project’s guidelines is less than the aid that Turkey receives from the EU annualy. In his opinion, implementation of the Eastern Partnership project and the abolishment of visas are the main challenges in Ukraine’s and other interested countries’ integration with the European Union.
