Vitaliy Portnikov visited Zakarpattia for an interview on the current challenges facing Ukraine. The primary issues remain the survival of the country, preservation of its independence, and its population. Portnikov believes that predicting the end of the war is difficult, and Ukrainians are now living through global changes where established borders and stability are no longer guaranteed.
He states that the modern world order was exceptional, originating in Europe after World War II, especially due to the Helsinki process in 1975. Now these principles are crumbling, as seen in the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. According to Portnikov, Ukraine must focus on surviving as a state, rather than making long-term forecasts.
Among the threats, Portnikov sees both external ones—war, pressure from neighbors, border revision—and internal factors such as demographic and cultural shifts. He compares political processes in neighboring countries, emphasizing that Ukraine should work with different political forces, though it often has limited direct influence. Many societies seek simple answers during hard times, affecting the political climate.
Portnikov also highlights issues of identity within Ukraine, stressing the importance of cultural consciousness and the role of regional diversity, especially in Zakarpattia. He gives examples of European integration and notes that maintaining cultural diversity and developing the economies of western regions are crucial during wartime.
Zakarpattia, according to him, has the potential to become a center for development and integration as a Euroregion. Due to its border location, the region plays a key part in Ukraine’s European integration and economic stability.
Portnikov underscores the independence of civil society and the need for responsibility and honesty among public figures. During war, civil society must develop its identity, uphold culture, and work on building a democratic Ukraine. Today, Zakarpattia and other rear regions are vital for the country's stable functioning, making their development crucial for Ukraine’s future.
