Hungary’s and Romania’s exogenous influence on separatism processes in Ukraine

Abstract

Abstract The author, on the basis of a preliminary analysis of the problem of the exogenous influence of the countries on the strengthening of separatism processes in Ukraine, expresses the view that separatism conflicts have not only internal causes for escalation, but also the external influence exerted by the main actors of international relations, solving their geopolitical task or countries bordering Ukraine. The author classifies the exogenous factors of influence, which are most often used by the main and influential actors of international relations to strengthen their positions in the region or in any state. The aim of the article is to analyze such components of the Hungarian and Romanian exogenous influence on Ukraine as cultural, educational, political, and diplomatic ones. These two countries consistently and persistently try to protect the rights and interests of Hungarian and Romanian national minorities in Ukraine, but every year they do so contrary to the interests and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Relations between the countries have worsened due to statements by political and public figures in Hungary and Romania after the adoption of the Law on Education by Ukraine in September 2017. The author comes to the conclusion that the cultural component of exogenous influence increases the factor of identity and can serve as an element of soft power and catalyze the ethnic/separatism conflict in the country.