Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostyantyn Gryshchenko outlined the philosophy and some of the strategic goals of his country’s foreign policy this Tuesday during “Ukraine: A New President, a New Foreign Policy?”

The session, hosted by GMF along with the European Policy Centre and The EU Ukraine Business Council, focused on the direction of Ukraine’s international affairs since Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych’s February 2010 election. Gryshchenko underlined that Ukraine is pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy that seeks to position the country as a bridge - between Europe, the US and Russia – and said that foreign policy decisions are made strictly in accordance with Ukraine’s interests.

Under that framework, Gryshchenko said, restoration of relations with Russia was an economic priority, “especially taking into account the financial and economic crisis,” and added that the restoration of friendly relations between the two countries corresponds to European Union interests. Ukraine under Yanukovych has embarked on a foreign policy resulting in the “most intensive ever momentum in EU-Ukraine dialogue,” he said. “Ukraine is often blamed for having too many contacts with Moscow, but few take into account how intensive our dialogue is with Brussels.”

The event came during the runup to a Nov. 22 summit between the EU and Ukraine. Gryshchenko called EU integration more than a mere foreign policy option for Ukraine. “It is what we call our choice. It is how we identify ourselves,” he said, while making the case both for a visa-free regime between the EU and Ukraine, and a comprehensive free trade agreement that would give Ukraine full access to the European single market.

The session was moderated by Bratislava-based GMF Senior Transatlantic Fellow Pavol Demes. After opening remarks, Gryshchenko answered a number of pointed questions from attendees.

Asked by an audience member to lay out the intellectual underpinnings of the “non-block” status, Gryshchenko replied: “Being non-block is simply being outside of blocks but being active in the international arena.” As regards NATO, he pointed out that the idea of joining the alliance has plunged internally in recent years; yet, he said, Ukraine can cooperate actively with the alliance, and NATO members have expressed appreciation for the country’s presence in Afghanistan, to name one instance.

In response to a question about what is possible within the framework of a free trade agreement with the EU, Gryshchenko said: “How comprehensive can it be if it is piecemeal? That’s a contradiction in terms,” and said Ukraine seeks an agreement that will grant its businessmen and workers all four freedoms. He did emphasize the need for a clear timelines “needed to adapt certain sectors to changing realities.”

Asked by an audience member about reports of restrictions of press freedoms in his country, the minister characterized Ukraine’s media landscape as competitive and vibrant, and while saying there are “hiccups” sometimes, he challenged audience members to find a healthier and more representative televised public debate in other democracies.