Publication

Institute of World Policy has released the rating “Ukraine’s Soft Power: TOP 30 Notions Associated with Ukraine in the Region”, based on the results of expert survey in Poland, Belarus, Russia, Georgia, Romania and Moldova.When foreigners think of Ukraine, what do they see? A bridge between East and West, a country big on football, Chornobyl, “the country that’s not Russia”? Do these images really match how foreigners see Ukraine, or are they mere national clichés?
In an attempt to find out what the thought of Ukraine really evokes among the intellectual elites of the international community, and as part of the project “Ukraine’s Soft Power: A Tool for effective foreign policy”, the Institute of World Policy surveyed experts, journalists, politicians and statesmen in the six countries that know Ukraine best: its neighbors.

Based on the answers of nearly 100 prominent opinion-makers in these countries (Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Poland, Romania and the Russian Federation), IWP has identified the 5 notions (“Top 5”) most associated with Ukraine in each country.

The full text of the publication in Ukrainian and English is here.

The results of the rating are striking in that neither current bilateral problems, nor political leaders top the lists. Instead, participants mentioned Ukraine’s touristic destinations, its cuisine and its culture. Four out of six countries surveyed described Ukraine as a friendly and hospitable nation. Some Russian experts agreed that Ukraine is not Russia, while Ukraine is perceived as a bridge or a buffer not only by EU member Poland, but also by the small Republic of Moldova.
This report was conducted by the Institute of World Policy as part of its project implemented under Ukraine National Initiatives to Enhance Reforms (UNITER) program, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Pact Inc. This
information product is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The rating was presented on June 22, 2011 at the IWP.Photo report.