In 2005, it attained full individual membership status in the European University Association, which serves as the primary representative for the European higher education community, representing both national rectors’ conferences and European universities. In 2015, it commemorated its four hundredth anniversary since its establishment. In essence, it holds significant historical importance in Ukraine, to the extent that its building is depicted on the 500 Hryvnia commemorative banknote issued in 2015. What’s more, consistent with its commitment to promoting national consciousness, over the past two decades, it has successfully financed and completed the restoration of Halshka Hulevychivna’s House, the Saint Spirit Church, and Antonovychi’s Library. We are talking about the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine, which promotes humanism, democracy, active citizenship, etc. as its core values, alongside national consciousness. The Head of the Political Science Department, Prof. Dr. Oleksandr Demyanchuk, at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy provided insights on the upcoming elections in Ukraine and Kiev’s relations with Orban’s Hungary and Fico’s Slovokia.
ÖZELGÜN: In your “Political Power Distribution in Ukraine: Dynamics and Perspectives” article, you state that “It is shown that in making political decisions the Ukrainian political system is more and more influenced by external forces – social organizations, businesses and the International community with the Russian Federation and the European Union as the dominating actors” (Demianchuk, 2014; 1). How effective do you think these external factors are in current war conditions? Which external factors do you think are increasing in importance while others are decreasing?
DEMIANCHUK: The external influence on Ukrainian politics and policy has significantly increased since the Russian invasion began. The main difference is that the European Union (EU) and the USA do their best to support Ukraine, its economy, culture, and population. Russia tries to inhibit Ukraine’s development. I discussed it in one of my articles by Kristina Khambekova and Oleksandr Demianchuk. Institutional Isomorphism in the Ukrainian Public Administration. / Studi Europene/ # 10, 2017. Pp. 109-122. Both positive and negative influences are extremely significant and efficient. Russia uses military instruments to destroy the Ukrainian economy and worsen the demographic situation. The EU forces Ukraine to do important reforms by supporting Ukraine financially and promising EU membership in the near future.
ÖZELGÜN: Is it possible to conduct the presidential elections in Ukraine, scheduled for March 31, 2024, as per the constitution, under a period of martial law imposed due to the Russian occupation?
DEMIANCHUK: Ukraine does not lead a war against Russia. There is no official document that would stipulate the opposite. Having a vast majority in Parliament, the President’s party may easily overcome the constitutional barriers if the election would bring political benefits to it.
ÖZELGÜN: What impact do you believe conducting elections punctually, albeit under martial law circumstances, can have on the progress of Ukrainian democracy? What is your assessment of the likelihood of success in the elections if the incumbent chief of general staff were to leave and pursue a career in politics?
DEMIANCHUK: The defeat of President V. Zelensky and the Servant of the People will enhance democratic achievements in many aspects. At the same time, it may bring a split into Ukrainian society, which creates a danger of losing or significantly postponing the success of the war. I don’t like to tell fortunes, as the situation in Ukraine and around is very unstable. Hence, the resignation of the chief for political reasons is not too probable.
ÖZELGÜN: According to Politico, Slovakia’s new leader Robert Fico articulated that “The war in Ukraine didn’t start a year ago, it started in 2014, when Ukrainian Nazis and fascists started murdering Russian citizens in the Donbas and Luhansk” (Politico, 19 October 2023). Furthermore, again according to Poltico and Reuters, during the election campaign, he explicitly stated that Slovakia will not provide any additional military support to Ukraine in their efforts to resist the Russian invasion, and recently, the Slovak parliament officially approved the government’s decision to cease providing military assistance to Ukraine. (Politico, 19 October 2023 & Reuters, 21 November 2023). Why do you think Slovakia, under Fico’s administration, take an anti-Ukrainian stance?
DEMIANCHUK: Mr. Fico has never visited Ukraine to see with his own eyes what is true and what is false in the messages about the war. At the same time, Russia is extremely skilled at spreading deceit about “Ukrainian nationalists” and buying support from numerous countries in Europe and the world. Slovakia’s position is very close to the Hungarian one, which causes warnings from the European Commission side.
ÖZELGÜN: In what ways and why do you think Hungarian Prime Minister Orban is disturbed by the European Union’s policies in the Ukraine-Russia war? Do you find Orban’s threat to block all aid from the European Union to Ukraine, reported by Politico, realistic (Politico, 22 Nov. 2023)?
DEMIANCHUK: Mr. Orban’s behaviour in the current situation is profitable, first of all, to Russia. It seems that he is afraid of the lack of funds for Hungary when the EU gives huge money to Ukraine. By the way, we and one of my students plan to publish an article that will explain the causes of Orban’s success in elections and the sources of his position towards the war. Hopefully, it will appear in the summer.
References
https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-new-prime-minister-robert-fico-ukraine-war/
https://www.ukma.edu.ua/eng/index.php/about-us/today
Weltschau 
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