European Integration in Ukraine: background, theoretical basis, main tools, realization.

This master's thesis is devoted to the study of the development and deepening of European integration in Ukraine. This process began with the first diplomatic contacts and recognition of the independence of Ukraine and continues to this day. The author aims to highlight the importance of European integration in Ukraine for both sides and its necessity, despite the difficult international situation in the region and the world. The theoretical and legislative basis was laid by the first agreements between the countries in 1999, 2002, and 2009, which represented the consistent development and deepening of European integration in Ukraine. At the same time, Ukrainian civil society played an important role in this process, defending the European path of development during the events of the Orange Revolution of 2004 and Euromaidan of 2013. However, the latter’s victory in 2014 led to a political crisis, which Russia aggressively took advantage of by illegally occupying Crimea and starting a proxy war in Donbass. Despite this difficult situation, Ukraine's European integration has only accelerated, thanks to the decisive actions of the new Ukrainian government and the support of the European Union. Important steps were the signing and ratification of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement and the application of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The process of preparing to apply for EU membership has only accelerated. However, the aggressive northern neighbor did not abandon attempts to stop the European development of Ukraine and, on February 24, 2022, began a full-scale invasion of its territory. Thanks to the courage of Ukrainians and the support of the EU and the US, Ukraine survived. At the same time, another dimension has been added to the political, economic, and social partnership between Ukraine and the EU: collaboration in the military sphere. The conflict in Ukraine is as relevant as it is complex due to its historical, cultural, political, and social aspects. Moreover, various political actors are involved or have become involved in the course of the proxy war and then the full-scale war. This thesis focuses on European integration in Ukraine but also discusses the positions of Ukraine, Russia, and NATO and their various relationships with each other. Thus, the results of this work contribute to the extensive academic research on this topic.