ARTICLE
Eurosceptical Parties’ Attitudes towards the Conflict in Ukraine:
Implications for the EU’s External Actions
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Publication date: 2015-09-30
Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations 2015;51(3):245-265
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ABSTRACT
This paper reviews the attitudes that Eurosceptical parties represented in the
European Parliament hold towards the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. An analysis
of party policy programmes and statements of the main Eurosceptical politicians
reveals three groups of views developed among Eurosceptical parties as regards
the conflict in Ukraine: pro-Ukrainian, neutral and pro-Russian. Furthermore, the
analysis indicated that parties within each subcategory held both common and
unique attitudes towards the conflict. In light of this analysis, the article discusses the
possible implications for the EU’s external action. An increase in public support for
those parties could impoverish the Eastern Partnership, limit sanctions against Russia or terminate the Kremlin’s isolation. The latter effect could give the impression
to Western European Member States that Russia has a right to make decisions
about the future of the entire post-soviet region. As a result, it is unlikely that the
Eurosceptical parties will gain power. Instead it is more likely that the mainstream
parties will absorb parts of the radical Eurosceptics’ programmes.