The Mieroszewski Centre organised a conference titled “Ensuring the Success of Ukraine’s European Integration: The Role of the Polish-Ukrainian Tandem” on March 1, 2024, in Kyiv. During the event, The Ukrainian Week had the opportunity to speak with Pavlo Klimkin, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and co-founder of the Centre for National Resilience and Development. The conversation centred on the priorities in Ukraine’s progress in European integration and the cultivation of a Ukrainian elite that should serve as the driving force behind this advancement.
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— What are Ukraine’s strategic goals and tasks in the context of European integration at this time?
– Our main goal is to envision the kind of Ukraine we aspire to create. We must identify its strengths and the areas where we aim to lead not only for ourselves but also for Europe, the Western world, and beyond. Secondly, we must acknowledge that the war has fundamentally altered our logistical landscape, from transportation to data.
The entire diplomatic map has been redrawn, and we must now reconstruct it. We are essentially completing our break from the Russian regime and aligning ourselves with Europe in all aspects, including human and logistical dimensions.
Thirdly, we need to consider who will be responsible for building the institutions. European integration entails more than just enacting laws; it requires ensuring their effective implementation, which necessitates strong institutions. This demands human, intellectual, and financial resources, of which we currently have insufficient amounts. We must develop these resources, and this can only be achieved through collaboration with our European partners. There are no alternative routes available to us, as in the short term, we will not be able to muster these resources independently.
In my view, these are the primary objectives we should focus on for the future. Another distinct task is to approach this process with a sense of composure. Psychologically, it’s vital to maintain the strong belief that we will achieve [our goals. — Ed.). We need to have faith in ourselves, much like we did during these years of war. It’s crucial not to let our mindset waver when emotions become overwhelming. We must avoid letting these emotions steer us off course. In essence, there should be a clear, defined path ahead.
The tactics of our European integration may evolve, yet the strategy remains quite straightforward, given that our values fundamentally align with those of Europe. It’s about our own security and knowing where we belong.
— You mentioned the importance of the human resource, which is crucial in the context of European integration. We require substantial human and intellectual resources for this endeavour. How do you propose we address this challenge at present, given our current shortage in all aspects?
– To cultivate it, we must collaborate with our partners. We need to offer prospects to the youth. While experienced and knowledgeable individuals can certainly assist, the future belongs to those we will support. This should involve thousands of individuals from all sectors. There is no alternative. We cannot just simply import someone tomorrow or the day after [to work in Ukraine. — Ed.]. Our only option is to cultivate our own elite. When I say “elite,” I mean it in every positive sense of the word, without any divisions.
— Do you also consider this topic a priority for Ukraine at this moment, given the active discussions about the future of the European Union among the member countries?
— Of course, it’s evident. This is a brief response. These are tactics and strategies for interacting with our partners. They aren’t perfect, not necessarily positive or negative; they’re about themselves, but also about Europe and its future. We equally need to make it about ourselves but also about Europe. And again, not letting any emotional factors lead us astray [into various disputes. — Ed.], understanding that our partners have their priorities as well. Instead, we have ours, but ultimately, we have a common goal — a strong Europe and the West capable of playing a leading role in the 21st century as a system of values, not just a system of influences. Let’s not forget that we have a common enemy who aims to divide us. With a shared goal and a common adversary, we must move beyond the rollercoaster [in terms of diplomatic relations. — Ed.] and focus on our future. It’s quite challenging. Sometimes, it may seem almost impossible, but nevertheless, we must carry on.
