UKRAINE IN THE FRENCH FOCUS: THE POSITION OF PARIS

• Main Author: Oksana Mitrofanova
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts 2020-05-01
• Series: Міжнародні відносини: теоретико-практичні аспекти
• Subjects: україна; франція; нормандський формат; будапештський меморандум; єс; зовнішньополітична стратегія; донбас
• Online Access: http://international-relations.knukim.edu.ua/article/view/203667

The main objective of the study is to analyze France's position on contemporary    French-Ukrainian    relations,    the    status    of    the    Crimea    and the reintegration  of  the  Donbas.  Concerning  methodology  the  systematic  method was used for comprehensive studying of French approaches to problematic issues, such    as    the    reintegration    of    the    Donbas,    the    annexation    of    Crimea, and the revitalization  of  French  investment  in  Ukraine.  A  comparative  analysis  of the statements of French MP V. Faure-Muntian and Ukrainian MP O. Voloshyn reveals certain   elements   of   the   information   war.   The   official   position   of   France   on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict 2014–2020 was analyzed. The hypothetical potential of Ukraine as a market for France and the main obstacle for French investments – corruption – has been clarified.  It was proved that despite the fact that Ukraine's relations with France are not strategic,   they   have   entered   into   a   phase   of   strengthening   their   importance for Ukraine through the participation of France in the Normandy format, the French position  on  Russia  and  sanctions  against  that  state  and  such  events  as  France’s joining  to  signatories  of  the  Budapest  Memorandum  and  Brexit,  through  which France becomes the only nuclear country in the EU. The conclusion is drawn about the    unpredictability    of    France's    long-term    strategy    for    Ukraine    because of its significant dependence on the concept  of the French president, who defines foreign and defence policy, and the results of the presidential race are unpredictable enough, as proved by the recent presidential elections in 2017. Recommendations underline the urgency of overcoming corruption; its success will determine French–Ukrainian  economic  relations.  The  priority  is  given  to  tracking  elements of  the information  war  and  responding  immediately,  and  if  possible  preventing it by spreading information more widely about Ukraine in France. It is highlighted the expediency  of  acquainting  the  French  with  the  achievements  of  Ukraine  in the  field  of  culture  and  art  that  is one of  the  methods  for  the  best  presentation of the positives of Ukraine in France.