The second international scientific conference in the series „Past, present and future of the Polish-Ukrainian relations in the context of the subjectivity of Central Europe”, October 21, 2021.
The introductory word was delivered by the director of the Institute of Central Europe, prof. dr hab. Beata Surmacz, UMCS, deputy director of the Institute of International Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, associate professor Anton Nanawow and the director of the Center for Eastern Europe UMCS, prof. dr hab. Walenty Baluk. Two panels were planned for the conference.
The first panel "Polish and Ukrainian geostrategy in Central Europe" was moderated by Mykoła Doroszko PhD from the Institute of International Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Also took part: prof. Wiktor Matwijenko - Institute of International Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, dr hab. Agnieszka Legucka - prof. AFiB Vistula and prof. Waldemar Paruch - Institute of Political Sciences and Administration UMCS.
As part of the discussion, the speakers of the 1st panel raised a number of important problems related to the geostrategic choice of Poland and Ukraine, and the changing balance of power on a global and regional scale. Moreover, the issues of regional policy in Central and Eastern Europe were discussed, taking into account the potential of the strategic partnership between Poland and Ukraine as a tandem of regional leaders. Attention was also paid to Russia's aggressive policy, the waning influence of the West and Russia's strategic cooperation with China (A. Legucka). Professor W. Paruch pointed to the need to define the geopolitical position of Poland and Ukraine in the region of Central and Eastern Europe, while stressing that the implementation of the concept of concert of powers in the region would be a geopolitical catastrophe for both countries. The above determines the synergy of the resources of Poland and Ukraine as Central European countries in order to counteract the challenges and threats to security. Poland and Ukraine should strive for a symmetrical partnership and coordinate their security and defense activities. Ukraine, as the heir of Kievan Rus, located within the borders of the GDL (Grand Duchy of Lithuania) and the First Republic of Poland, should boldly refer to the legacy of the Republic of the Three Nations. In turn, prof. M. Doroszko pointed to the need to develop a Central European strategy by Ukraine and Poland, pointing to the geopolitical importance of both countries for the CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) region. Ukraine and Poland as the axis countries of the CEE region are of significant importance in the context of the security of the region...
The second panel „Partnership for the security”of Poland and Ukraine was attended by: prof. Hryhorij Perepełycia - Institute of International Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, prof. Serhiy Danylenko - Institute of International Relations, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, prof. dr hab. Paweł Kowal - ISP PAN, Member of the Polish Parliament and prof. dr hab. Tomasz Stępniewski - Institute of Central Europe, KUL. The panel was moderated by prof. Marek Pietraś - director of the Institute of Political Sciences and Administration UMCS.
The speakers of the 2nd panel brought up, among others, problems related to the general assessment of the security environment of Poland and Ukraine in the regional and global dimension. MP Paweł Kowal pointed to the need to conclude a new Polish-Ukrainian alliance (pact) and to lobby, at this stage of the mutual relations, the issue of Ukraine's association with the West (EU and NATO). To this end, he proposed an interesting formula of "semi-membership" as a method of Ukraine's gradual entry into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. Moreover, the academicians were offered to conduct research and simulation of the strategic partnership between Poland and Ukraine in a bilateral and multilateral system. Professor H. Perepełycia drew attention to the growing importance of regional conditions in international relations. The aggressive policy of Russia, which aims to be the geopolitical center in Eastern Europe, determines the conclusion of bilateral and multilateral alliances at the regional level to counter this aggression. Poland and Ukraine should deepen their political and military cooperation. Professor S. Danylenko raised information security issues, pointing to the destructive impact of Russian propaganda and disinformation on Ukrainian-Polish relations. The researcher proposed a proactive information policy to promote the strategic partnership of Ukraine and Poland. In turn, prof. T. Stępniewski referred to the issue of formal and material strategic partnership of both countries, requiring the implementation of specific initiatives in selected sectors of the economy.
The webinar sessions were summed up by prof. Walenty Baluk.
The webinar was carried out as a public task financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland in the competition "Public Diplomacy 2021" on the basis of a grant agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs No. BDG-287/2021.
