Abstract

This article analyzes the internal and external factors which influence on the process of Ukraine’s European integration. Based on the key criteria of accession to the European Union for applicant country is defined, that in addition to the basic requirements in the European Union leading papers (in particular, the Maastricht Treaty and the Copenhagen Declaration of the European Council), the quality and speed of the integration process in Ukraine still is affected by internal factors, one of which is internal consolidation. Based on the analysis of sociological research of leading sociological services Ukraine (Razumkov Centre, Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, «Democratic initiatives named by Ilko Kucheriv) is determined that, on the one hand, there are some regional differences in the formation of social identity, but on the other – there is a tendency to realize themselves as Ukrainian union nation. The author approves that a leading role in the formation of national unity belongs to the national idea, which is based on an understanding of the multicultural nature of the country’s citizens; consistent democratization and political institutions; providing the rule of law, with special control over freedom of expression; formation of a functioning civil society; effective line of foreign policy, focusing on the European vector; formation of political culture as an individual citizen and the political elite based on a regional factor. The study determined that the expectation of the Association Agreement and the subsequent desire to join the EU has been a powerful consolidating factor for Ukrainians. At the same time this consolidation serves a condition of further Ukraine aspirations to the European integration.