Towards an Effective Division of Labour or Conflict ‘in and Around Ukraine’ as a Game Changer for the EU’s Engagement with Eastern Europe?

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Towards an Effective Division of Labour or Conflict ‘in and Around Ukraine’ as a Game Changer for the EU’s Engagement with Eastern Europe?

The aim of this case study is to shed light on the interplay of EU actorness and effectiveness in its engagement with Ukraine since the outburst of the crisis in East Ukraine. As it escalated, the EU has found itself marginalized and perceived as one of the parties to the conflict. The EU has been unable to make a decisive use of its crisis management toolbox, whilst its Member States and other regional actors, such as the OSCE took the lead in peace mediation and crisis response. Yet, a complete EU-Ukraine disentanglement is impossible and the EU will have its mission to play when considering the future of Ukraine. What are the implications for current external representation of the EU (actorness) and for the EU’s ability to pursue its objectives in a comprehensive manner (effectiveness) in this context? What are the implications for ‘effective multilateralism’? The EU’s external representation vis-à-vis Ukraine should be first understood through different levels, on which it takes place. Secondly, the question of effectiveness could be illustrated when analysing the EU’s ability to horizontally pursue its external human rights objectives. The research aims to highlight the implications of the conflict for the EU as a unitary actor and its effectiveness on its eastern border, while taking into account possible future scenarios and policy implications.


Michaela Anna Šimáková . michaela.simakova@coleurope.eu

College of Europe

Academic Assistant at College of Europe, IRD Department. MA in EU International Relations and Diplomacy (College of Europe); MA in International Security from SciencesPo. Previous work: Slovak Foreign Policy Association; traineeship at the Slovak MOD and EU Delegation to the International Organisations in Vienna; Lithuanian Council Presidency and its Delegation to the OSCE. Interests: International law, EU foreign policy, Human Security, conflict cycle, energy security, multilateral diplomacy, WMD & nuclear diplomacy, OSCE & MENA regions, Iran