Constraining external governance: interdependence with Russia and the CIS as limits to the EU's rule transfer in the Ukraine

Abstract

The question of how effective EU's external governance is cannot be answered without looking at the broader geographical and historical framework in which the Union extends its influence. We argue that interdependence between Ukraine and Russia in several key aspects shapes the context within which the EU and Russia compete to export their policies.Based on an analysis comparing the institutional rules underpinning EU's external governance and the CIS rules as well as several sectoral analyses, we show that the effectiveness of external governance varies with the patterns of interdependence. We identify sectoral differences in the extent of Ukraine's interdependence with Russia: it is low and receding in trade; medium in foreign policy and high in energy.

Selective Adoption of EU Environmental Norms in Ukraine. Convergenceá la Carte

“…However, a closer look at the ENP countries allows questioning some of these commonly held assumptions. As Dimitrova and Dragneva (2009) have shown for Ukraine, the EU is not necessarily the only central policy actor affecting domestic policy makers. Even Ukraine, for a long time an ardent supporter of convergence with EU norms, has recognised in its implementation strategy that adoption of EU law is conditional on its political, economic and social appropriateness (Albi 2009).…”

EU rules beyond EU borders: theorizing external governance in European politics

“…The question of power is also at the heart of Antoaneta Dimitrova and Rilka Dragneva's article 'Constraining external governance' (Dimitrova and Dragneva 2009). In a study of Ukraine, it investigates the limits imposed by Russia's influence and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on the EU's endeavours.…”

“…In addition, whereas it is clear in enlargement that EU and only EU rules provide the normative foundations of the relationship, this is an open issue in the relations with the eastern and southern neighbours of the Union. Here, approximation often draws on international or jointly negotiated rules (Barbé et al 2009;Dimitrova and Dragneva 2009).…”

Shaping the Neighbourhood? The EU's Impact on Georgia

“…On the other hand, geopolitical competition is an intervening variable that can potentially limit EU influence in the region as frictions among great powers are particularly intense in its Eastern neighbourhood (Dimitrova & Dragneva 2009). In particular, Russia's foreign policy has become more assertive in recent years, aiming to prevent Western influence in the former 'Soviet space' (Averre 2007).…”