In advance of Ukraine's presidential election in 2010, GMF launched Focus on Ukraine.  An ongoing series of analysis briefs about Ukraine's presidential election in 2010. GMF provides regular analysis briefs by leading American and European writers and intellectuals. Writers include:

• David J. Kramer, GMF Senior Transatlantic Fellow and a longtime Ukraine follower at the State Department
• Mark Cunningham, GMF Senior Program Officer
• Pavol Demes, GMF Director of the Bratislava Office
• Joerg Forbrig, GMF Senior Program Officer for Central and Eastern Europe 
• Joerg Himmelreich, GMF Senior Transatlantic Fellow
• Alina Inayeh, GMF Director of the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation
• Dakota Korth, GMF Senior Program Officer for Foreign Policy and Civil Society
• Joseph Wood, GMF Senior Resident Fellow

In addition, periodic contributions from GMF scholars will put developments in Ukraine into a transatlantic and international context.

Policy and Opinion Briefs

Ukraine's Post-Election "To-Do" List
David J. Kramer
February 11, 2010

Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko has yet to concede defeat to Viktor Yanukovych, but Yanukovych looks likely to assume leadership of the country in the near future following the February 7 presidential election widely deemed free and fair by international observers. Western leaders need to get over their "Ukraine fatigue" and engage the country, its new president, and its people more than they have in the past out of recognition that Ukraine matters enormously to the future of Europe.

Ukraine and the EU: A Family Portrait
Written by Alina Inayeh
January 27, 2010

The incoherence of the EU's approach to Ukraine has pushed Ukraine to believe the European Union has lost interest in the country. Ukraine's leadership blames the EU for closing the door. The European Union, in turn, blames Ukrainian leaders for their lack of political will to reform and to act on promises made after the Orange Revolution.

Ukraine: Democracy in Progress
Written by Pavol Demeš , David J. Kramer, and Mark Cunningham
January 19, 2010

Voters in Ukraine went to the polls on Sunday to cast their ballots for the country's next president. As expected, none of the 18 candidates secured enough votes to win in the first round, necessitating a second round between the two top vote-getters: former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and current Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko. Both candidates speak of improving relations with Russia and deepening ties with the European Union and the United States.

Security Choices After the Election: New Direction for Ukraine?
Written by Joseph R. Wood
January 13, 2010

Although NATO membership is not getting headlines in this year's Ukrainian presidential election, the broader issue of Ukrainian security is very much at stake.

Energy Security for Ukraine and Europe
Written by Jörg Himmelreich
January 11, 2010

Reforming Ukraine's energy sector is vital for the future of Ukraine's economy and security. Ukraine narrowly averted national bankruptcy following the global financial crisis. But Ukraine's economic recovery depends on reforming the energy sector, which has suffered severe politicization since the 1990s leading to non-transparent business operations and mega-corruption.

More than a Neighbor: Why Ukraine Matters
Written By Joerg Forbrig and Dakota Korth
January 5, 2010

With expectations disappointed among Ukrainians, and impatience widespread in the West, it may be tempting to disregard the January 17, 2010 presidential election as just another in an endless series of polls that have done little to advance Ukraine in recent years. That verdict, however, would be as premature as it would be irresponsible.