transformation of the national economy by benefiting from existing competitive
advantages at the international level [7, p. 35-37]. However, such opportunities are
evident when countries are developing relatively balanced, relying on the potential and
opportunities for development, that interregional competition, integration, and
liberalization market provides.
In contrast, the implementation of economic and political initiatives that are in
line with their own national interests in certain countries, due to the deteriorating
economic and political positions of others, is witnessing the phenomenon of increasing
regional imbalances. This imbalance is currently observed to some extent with regard
to the conditions of the Ukrainian economy, which is negatively influenced by the
decisions of the leadership of the Russian Federation.
The existence of certain political and economic controversies necessitates a
reorientation of the model of cooperation between Ukraine and neighboring countries,
to a large extent this is determined by the need for diversification of economic activity
and minimization of dependence on the dominant partner country trying to use its
economic influence to achieve its own domestic and foreign policy objectives for
account and damage to Ukraine. At present time, the Russian Federation is such an
"unfriendly" partner country for Ukraine.
Under these conditions, the main task of Ukraine is the creation, through internal
changes, as well as the intensification of international diplomacy and economic
cooperation, the conditions for future integration into the community of developed
European powers. The achievement of this goal is due to the need for radical change
of existing stereotypes in relation to economic partnership at the international level,
methods and principles, models of management of the development of international
cooperation. The basis of such a change should be the objective factors of the country's
development in the current situation, in the present, globalized world, under the
influence of political and economic factors [5], according to existing trends [6; 9].
The conclusion of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU
objectively led to a favorable situation for the intensification of the European
integration of Ukraine, the use of new forms of interregional economic cooperation
with the countries of the European Union. These forms of interaction can be based on
the use of the potential of transit through the territory of Ukraine of transport, gas, oil
and energy networks of international importance. It is in the framework of cooperation
with the EU countries that Ukraine has the opportunity to more rationally use the
existing transit capacities on its territory, through the implementation of priority
directions of interregional cooperation within the framework of realization of the
common European economic development goals.
The availability of these infrastructural capabilities, on the other hand, has
conditioned Ukraine's significant dependence on the Russian Federation as a supplier
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