Launched in 2015, Carnegie’s Reforming Ukraine project is an international multidisciplinary effort to monitor and evaluate Ukraine’s progress in key areas such as the security sector, the economy, the judiciary, and the reform of political institutions. The project’s flagship publication, the Ukraine Reform Monitor, brings together Ukraine-based policy practitioners and analysts and experienced Carnegie fellows to provide rigorous assessments of the Ukrainian reform effort via a series of regular policy-focused publications, workshops, and events in Ukraine and key Western capitals.
At a time when the geopolitical and security aspects of the Ukraine crisis dominate much of the Western discourse, this project focuses on the long-term challenges facing the country and provides practical tools for measuring the depth and speed of change. The project aims to promote a constructive dialogue between Ukraine and its Western partners that informs policymakers by increasing the quality and quantity of available analytical resources on Ukraine during this critical phase in the country’s transition. It is also intended to stimulate creative thinking among Western policymakers about alternative approaches to supporting Ukrainian reform.
The project is carried out by Carnegie’s Washington-based Russia and Eurasia Program and Carnegie Europe, together with a team of independent contributors based in Ukraine, with support from the Open Society Foundations and the Center for East European and International Studies.
Reforms in Ukraine have taken a back seat during a protracted season of electoral politics. A key question is whether the rival factions can compete peacefully and avoid destabilizing the country again.
Ukraine and the EU are closer than ever before. But events over the last four years have also shown how far apart they still are in economic capacity, governance, and their visions for the future.
Ukraine’s armed forces are better than ever before. However, major problems remain, all of which stem from internal political struggles and the continuing weakness of state structures.
Transforming Ukraine’s energy sector is essential to strengthening the country’s economic and national security. Despite intensified efforts and some recent progress, the outlook is troubled.
Volunteer activities in Ukraine have decreased since 2014. While civic activists have not given up, serious concerns persist about Ukrainian civil society's impact.
Europe’s commitment to the Eastern Partnership region has been cemented by Russian aggression. Yet, for internal reasons, the EU is trying to avoid the costs linked to the countries’ integration.
EU association deals with Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova have proven to be key drivers of reform in all three countries. The emphasis should now be on implementation, not simply legislative adoption.
President Poroshenko’s power consolidation—and pushback against it—is the hallmark of Ukrainian politics heading toward elections in 2019. Yet reform progress is being made, even if the pace remains slow.
Can Ukraine manage to overcome the daunting political, economic, social, and security challenges still facing the country?
In the past year, Ukraine’s reform progress slowed as the president consolidated power and key decentralization reforms met opposition in the parliament.
