In November 2013, largely under the pressure of Russia, the Ukrainian authorities decided not to sign the association agreement with the EU. Such decision led to the massive social protests in Ukraine, and ultimately to a major political crisis and the possibility of civil war. If the strength of the pro-European protests was an opportunity for the EU, the recent developments in Ukraine has also pointed out several weaknesses of the European Neighbourhood Policy. First, EU was unable to present an association offer which would be truly attractive for the authorities of post-Soviet Ukraine in time of deep economic crisis. Second, it was unwilling to enter into open struggle with Russia over Ukraine and recognize the existing competition with the latter over the common neighbourhood, both on the level of values and geopolitics. Third it proved unable to act quickly and efficiently face to major conflict in its close neighbourhood.
