ABSTRACT
Following the break-up of the Soviet Union, the countries of Eastern Europe have once again become the scene of rivalry between Russia and Western Europe, now organized as the European Union. Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova are caught between these two political entities, and have to respond to initiatives from both sides. Historical distinctions, cultural variations, geographical differences and other factors inspire their particular responses, as do the demographic and other factors in their varied circumstances. Their aspirations do not coincide, and may not indeed be clear. This renders problematic the task of devising their own policies towards their great power neighbours and those neighbours’ policies towards them, and of the appropriate responses in each direction. In addition, there are complex interactions of interests, goals and aspirations among all players, so that evaluating policy requires understanding, subtlety and imagination that may often be lacking.
