Why Ukraine matters to Europe

Until the war in Georgia in August 2008, the EU had taken stability beyond its eastern border for granted. Now it will need to become more active in this volatile region, in which Ukraine is the largest and most important country. If Ukraine successfully 'Europeanises', it will serve as an inspiration to the entire eastern neighbourhood. The EU needs to offer it and other eastern neighbours the prospect of eventual membership to help them become stronger and more prosperous. And it needs to work harder to find solutions to the region's local conflicts, existing and potential ones, such as the Ukraine-Russia disagreement over Crimea.