Andreas Umland: What Brexit means for Ukraine
A Union flag, and a European Union (EU) flag fly above Europe House, the head office of the UK Representation of the European Commission, and the UK Information Office of the European Parliament, in central London on June 28, 2016.
After British voters approved a referendum to leave the EU on June 23, Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister for European Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said: "We respect the British citizens' decision, but Ukraine feels sorry for these events. To my mind this will weaken the EU and it will have to concentrate on its own problems." The minister's consternation and worries are right. For Ukrainians, the British vote is difficult to understand. They have fought and are still fighting for their "European choice." Initially in a revolution, then in a highly intense hybrid war, and now in low-intensity warfare, they are defending their right to freely associate with and eventually join the EU.
