Abstrakt: | This articlecontributes to the discussion about the multidimensional
consequences of the crisis and conflict in Ukraine. It focuses on
the rarely discussed subject of the implications of the events in this
country since 2013 for Polish-Ukrainian relations from Warsaw’s perspective.
This article has three major goals: firstly, to present the historical
determinants influencing contemporary Polish-Ukrainian relations;
secondly, to characterize the reaction of Poland to the events in
Ukraine since 2013; and finally, to point out major implications of the
crisis and conflict for bilateral relations from a Polish standpoint. The
paper concludesthat,contrary to many domestic official statements,
the Ukrainian crisis and conflict brought more challenges and dilemmas
than tangible benefits for Poland. Obviously, bilateral contacts
with Kiev are nowadays much better than a few years back, but this
does not mean that Warsaw profits greatly from this situation. Moreover,
new and rather unexpected challenges emerged in these relations,
concerning, among others,Ukraine’s historical policy, the activities of
right-wing extremists andthe lack of prospects of joiningthe EU and
NATO , which is a long-term Polish ambition for her neighbour. |