The project "Ukraine in Europe," which was sponsored by the Jubilee Fund of the Austrian National Bank, is
intended to explore the second largest state in Europe by analysing numerous aspects of this bridge between East
and West, without focussing on the actual question of Ukraine`s ability to enter the European Union. In completing
the project, it became apparent that Ukraine is and has always has been a part of Europe, irrespective of whether it
is tied institutionally to the EU. This basic idea is found in all of the essays of this volume, and concerns Ukraine`s
legal system and its economic relations, as well as labour migration, the education system, and literary and artistic
interconnections.
Throughout the course of history, Ukraine`s territory has been split up into several empires, including those of
Poland and Russia/Soviet Union, and the Habsburg Empire. This history has contributed to the intense regional
differences that can be found today in Ukraine, and which are expressed in particular in the essays concerning
politics, religion, national minorities, the language situation, and the Crimea. The apprehension that was frequently
expressed in earlier times, that Ukraine may break apart and eastern Ukraine join Russia, has not been heard as
much of late. However, Ukraine`s orientation in terms of its internal and foreign policy, its language distribution,
its complex religious situation, and even its artistic development show that even after eleven years of sovereignty
the differences within Ukraine remain, and will continue to play an important role in the future.
The volume also discusses topics that refer to the European context and the regional particularities rather
marginally, but are of great importance for Ukraine. These are energy politics, the legal and governmental systems,
land privatisation, demographic development, mass media, cultural policy, and western views towards Ukrainian
managers and vice versa.
All of the essays focus on Ukraine`s present and future. Relevant background or historical information is included
at the start of each essay, to ensure that the essay`s context is understood. Understandably, the amount required of
such information varies depending on the topic.
The publication is not only for scientists, but also for those from economic, political, cultural and artistic fields, to
whom we present a broad spectrum of current information about Ukraine. In addition, the publication attempts to
outline Ukraine`s future development, and thus to serve as guidance for decision makers from German speaking
areas.
Half of the authors of this volume are from Ukraine, and the other half are from Austria. Several essays were
written together by social scientists of both states, in order to avoid biased and/or one-sided views.