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Source: Getty

Other
Carnegie Europe

Ukraine's Future: The Challenges and Impact of Governance in Ukraine

The state of governance in Ukraine today is the subject of widespread debate, with Ukrainian and international observers citing evidence of democratic backsliding under Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

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By Olga Shumylo-Tapiola
Published on Jul 7, 2011

Source: Peterson Institute

The state of governance in Ukraine today is the subject of widespread debate. Ukrainian and international observers have cited corruption, flaws in the October 2010 local elections, inappropriate actions by the Security Service of Ukraine, and prosecution of opposition political figures as evidence of democratic backsliding under Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. The president and his government deny these charges, contending that centralizing some authority is required to bring about order, govern effectively, and implement difficult and overdue economic reforms. What is happening with the state of governance in Ukraine? How is it affecting the Ukrainian economy and Ukraine's foreign relations, particularly with Europe and the United States? And how should the West engage the Yanukovych government and Ukrainian civil society to protect democratic and market-oriented progress?

The Peterson Institute for International Economics, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings, and the Atlantic Council cohosted a conference to address these and related questions. Panels with leading American and European experts examined "The Challenges of Governance in Ukraine" and "The Impact on the Economy and Foreign Policy." Carnegie’s Olga Shumylo Tapiola participated in the panel focusing on the challenges of governance in Ukraine. She was joined by Andriy Fialko, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Ukraine, James Sherr of the Royal Institute for International Affairs, Damon Wilson of the Atlantic Council and Jorge Zukoski of American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.

About the Author

Olga Shumylo-Tapiola

Former Nonresident Associate, Carnegie Europe

Shumylo-Tapiola is a nonresident associate at Carnegie Europe in Brussels, where her research focuses on Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

    Recent Work

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Olga Shumylo-Tapiola
Former Nonresident Associate, Carnegie Europe
Olga Shumylo-Tapiola
EuropeEastern Europe

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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