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The Ukrainian Factor in Relations of Visegrád Group Countries with Russia (1991–2014)

22
Rubric: Europe: New Realities
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2025-69-6-70-79
EDN: EQYMYH
M. Vedernikov, ORCID 0000-0002-5046-719X, vishma@mail.ru
Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences (IE RAS), 11/3, Mokhovaya Str., Moscow, 125009, Russian Federation.
 

Received 04.12.2024. Revised 10.01.2025. Accepted 27.03.2025.

Acknowledgements. The article has been supported by a grant of the Russian Science Foundation. Project no. 23-78-01204, https://rscf.ru/project/23-78-01204/


Abstract. After the start of the SMO in 2022, the Central European states (V4) were among the most active supporters of Kyiv and initiators of the European Union’s anti-Russian sanctions policy. The article attempts to analyze the reasons for the approach taken by these countries. The period preceeding the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in 2014 is considered. It is noted that from 1991 to 2014, despite the progressive development of Russia – Central Europe relations, patterns of perception of Kyiv and Moscow were formed, which subsequently led to the degradation of relations with Russia. It is revealed that the countries did not consider fruitful cooperation with the Kremlin as a valuable capital and were ready to easily sacrifice it to achieve their strategic goals. The latter included membership in Euro-Atlantic structures and according benefits from it. It is noted that after 2004, Ukraine began to be viewed as an object for efforts to consolidate the positions of the Central European states in the EU. Meanwhile, Kyiv’s domestic political problems and its rapprochement with Moscow were alienating Ukraine from the V4 countries, while the opposite trends, on the contrary, led to a convergence of positions. It is shown that involvement in Ukrainian affairs was limited to loud statements that had no actual implementation until 2014. It is proven that episodes of pragmatic cooperation between the V4 countries and Russia were partly based on the pan-European course and the desire to adapt to it (Poland, Czechia), or dependence on Russian oil, gas and nuclear fuel (Hungary, Slovakia).

Keywords: Central Europe, Russia – Central Europe relations, CEE, Eastern Partnership, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine


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For citation:
Vedernikov M. The Ukrainian Factor in Relations of Visegrád Group Countries with Russia (1991–2014). World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2025, vol. 69, no. 6, pp. 70-79. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2025-69-6-70-79 EDN: EQYMYH

Contents World Eñonomy and International Relations. 2025, vol. 69, no. 6

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