Conference Program

The geostrategic implications of Russia's conflict with Ukraine to Europe suggest that the EU will have to make a critical review and update of its potential and mechanisms of operation in foreign and security policy, especially in public diplomacy. Multidimensional transformations in international relations caused by the war of Russia with Ukraine fall of the post-Cold War Liberal International Order cause a change in external perception, but also the "self-perception" of the EU as a diplomatic international actor, a specific soft power. Unprecedented decisions to grant Ukraine the status of an EU candidate, losing Russia in the competition for "hearts and minds" in Ukraine, the positive attitude of the citizens of Ukraine is undoubtedly a challenge facing foreign and security policy and EU diplomacy.

The presentation will argue extensive changes to the EU’s public diplomacy following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The changes have created important opportunities for diminishing, or even closing, many of the perceptual gaps that existed between the EU and Ukraine following the annexation of Crimea. The aim is to apply specific approach of the paradigm shift in foreign policy of the EU and theorisations to understand the transformation of the EU’s public diplomacy in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The relationship between the European Union and Ukraine faces many challenges as they strive to integrate during times of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and in the region. The war, which began in 2014 with Russia's occupation of Crimea and subsequent military intervention in Eastern Ukraine, and later full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has significantly influenced the integration process.

For Ukraine, the aspiration to integrate into the EU has been a key element of its foreign policy and a catalyst for domestic reforms since its independance. However, the war has highlighted the complexities of the EU's foreign policy and its limitations in dealing with a crisis in its Eastern neighborhood.

The war has also underscored the broader geopolitical implications for the EU and diverted attention and resources, tested the EU's foreign policy coherence, and highlighted the complexities of managing geopolitical relationships in times of crisis.

Despite these challenges, both the EU and Ukraine continue to express commitment to their partnership. The EU has provided financial assistance and political support to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic values and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Ukraine, in turn, being the candidate country since June 2022 and having opened the negotiations with the EU in December 2023, remains dedicated to implementing reforms and meeting the criteria for EU integration.

Globalisation and the reality of recent international developments—the war in Ukraine and other international regional conflicts—have changed the way of cooperation between states, bringing a new world order and a new concept for geopolitics, which is more dominated by geo-economic and geo-strategic issues. The war in Ukraine is bringing about a new geopolitical order where the Black Sea region is at the centre of attention, especially in the headlines of world politics, since the countries that are involved in the war (Russia and Ukraine) have access to the waters of the Black Sea. The geographical position makes the region a “hot political and military” area. It is important to note that for a long time, the Black Sea played a secondary role from a geopolitical point of view, while today we can see that it has returned to the centre of world politics and media. Unfortunately, currently, the region is considered more dangerous in the new confrontation between Russia and the West. This confrontation is not only being presented through the war of sanctions, but direct military clashes between the parties are also not excluded. Meanwhile, military clashes, even though they are unacceptable for the 21st century, have been seen in recent incidents in the waters of the Black Sea between Russia and NATO. In this context, this paper aims to analyse and define Russia's role in the Black Sea, highlight the current geopolitical importance, and present the possible scenarios in this region.