You're reading: Expert says Ukraine’s European integration is window dressing

Deputy Director General of the Razumkov Center Valeriy Chaly believes that Ukraine is making a show of its European integration, rather than taking specific steps towards introducing European standards. 

“I believe that now it is mainly Euro-imitation,” he said at a roundtable in Kyiv on Thursday, Feb.27.

According to him, at present, much can be done to address issues that are of a technical nature.

“It is a bit worrying that, for example, the task of preparing the association agreement for signing is put off until October. Why? Last week, the agreement was translated into all 22 EU languages, Ukrainian is the 23rd. Why wouldn’t one place a strict condition [on preparing the agreement] by May?” Chaly said.

In addition, he said that the Ukrainian government put off some of the tasks until November.

At the same time, Chaly said that the EU took very seriously the possibility of Ukraine’s making a u-turn in its integration, choosing the Customs Union and the Eurasian Economic Community.

According to the expert, the issue of the Customs Union of Russia, the gas transportation system and the gas supply were addressed in Brussels, but they were discussed in a perfunctory manner.