West or East: the EU and Russian Federation in ukrainian and belarusian public perception

Abstract

This article aims to show the evolution of public opinion in Ukraine and Belarus towards foreign policy orientation: integration to the EU and NATO or vice-versa to CIS. At the beginning of XXI century the question of «Eastern» or «Western» choice was sharper then ever. Public opinion polls toward questions of self-identification, and attitude to joining the EU and NATO, were very helpful to conclude what characteristics of respondents define «pro-Western» orientation.