Polish factor on the European Union-Ukraine relations

In the dissertation, the EU-Ukraine relations are discussed within the framework of the theory of 'New Functionalism' through the method of 'Historical Institutionalism'. Poland has been examined as a constructive factor on these relations, acting as a catalyst. Due to the lack of concrete membership policies on both sides to the EU until 2022, the 'non-membership regional integration' model has completed the theoretical framework of the dissertation. In 2022, Ukraine was granted the status of EU candidate country, however, membership negotiations have not been started yet, and since 2014, Ukraine's territorial integrity has been violated. The 'Historical' component refers to Ukraine's common past with Central Europe, namely, as the heir to Magdeburg Law, the Lublin Union (1569) has been through various processes such as the Renaissance and the Reformation together with Western Europe. In addition, Ukrainian society and politics were also affected by the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Europeanism processes, and Ukraine has become a part of these processes. The 'Institutionalism' component refers to Ukraine's link with EU policies, namely, documents such as the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the Association Agreement (AA) were signed between the EU and Ukraine, and projects such as the ENP and the Eastern Partnership were implemented within the framework of the EU Law. The components of the 'New Functionalism' theory, together with the Polish factor, shaped EU-Ukraine relations and a unique Ukraine example emerged in the EU regional integration process.