Martin Poliacik: «opening» of Ukraine will also lead to powerful pan-European joint projects

Martin Poliacik

Does aid to Ukraine contribute to the Visegrád Group countries in their development and solving internal problems? This is the question Newssky asked Martin Poliacik, deputy director of GLOBSEC Kyiv, and senior researcher of the Ukrainian program.

It is rather problematic for the V4 countries as a group to answer this question. As regards the aid provided by individual countries, there are significant differences between Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia on the one hand and Hungary on the other. The first three countries are among the world leaders in diplomatic efforts, military aid, and general support for Ukraine. The political leadership of Hungary is much closer to the Kremlin and does not actively support Ukraine in its desire to win the war and become a member of the EU and NATO.

Each country also has a different set of challenges that they need to address. Slovakia is struggling with political instability and societal polarization, Hungary is facing economic difficulties related to the misuse of European money and price regulation, and Poland must adopt hundreds of thousands of migrants, mostly from Ukraine. Therefore, instead of evaluating the possible consequences for individual countries, I will try to think about the possible consequences of effective assistance to Ukraine for the entire V4 region.

I firmly believe that a democratic, stable, and independent Ukraine will give a significant boost to Central and Eastern Europe. Especially the regions located near the Ukrainian borders will benefit from communication with a new, large market, and the “opening” of Ukraine will also lead to powerful pan-European joint projects. After the successful accession of Ukraine to the EU, I predict a strong political connection primarily between Poland and Ukraine, but with the possibility of coordination with Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and perhaps also with Romania and the Baltic States. This would make this region one of the strongest in the EU when it comes to the number of votes in decision-making processes.

The aid to Ukraine means that the possibility of such development is higher. And if I’m right, the CEE countries have a lot to gain if they maintain the level of support they’re currently providing.

Українською

Maryna Kovalchuk, Newssky’s own correspondent (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland), head of the V5 Media project, contributed