Russian-Ukrainian relations in the views of Bohdan Hawrylyshyn

Abstract

The relevance of the study lies in the fact that intellectual understanding of Russian-Ukrainian relations during 1991–2014, before the annexation of Crimea, can continue to be an important factor in the formation of stability in Europe after the end of the war. The purpose of the work is to research and analyze Russian-Ukrainian relations in the views of the Ukrainian diaspora scholar Bohdan Hawrylyshyn (1926–2016), to highlight the ways in which these interstate relations could develop and to search for the most optimal of them. The methodological basis of the article was the principles of objectivity, comprehensiveness, historicism and continuity. The work used methods of analysis and synthesis, problem-chronological, retrospective, typology method, method of comparison and comparison of information from various sources. The results showed that the scientist paid considerable attention to understanding Russian-Ukrainian relations. He saw globalization as a chance for Ukraine and Russia to transform their societies into much better ones. However, on the condition that these two neighboring states, having quite a lot in common, would move into the future in parallel, equally, and in harmony, and not with Ukraine as a smaller and dependent brother. The conclusions show that Bohdan Hawrylyshyn's intellectual achievements in the analysis of Russian-Ukrainian relations are still relevant today. The practical significance of the results lies in the possibility of their use for developing a strategy for post-war Russian-Ukrainian relations. The scientist saw the optimal path for his homeland in active European integration and future membership in the European Union. For Russia, it would be worth following a socially oriented path: carrying out a comprehensive political and socio-economic transformation that would ensure equality of rights and a decent standard of living for people, following the example of the Scandinavian countries. Russia should get closer to the EU, but not join it, because it is too big.