In the spring of 2024, a consortium of universities (OsloMet, UiO, UiB, Nord University, Karazin Kharkiv University, and Operatyvna Sotsiolohiia in Dnipro) received a grant from the Research Council for a three-year network project, UKRAINETT+. This grant enables us to enhance user-oriented activities.
One of the network’s goals is to ensure that Norwegian-Ukrainian research, through analysis of the situation in Ukraine, informs Norwegian actors involved in the reconstruction and strengthening of Ukrainian society.
UKRAINETT hosts biannual roundtables at the University of Oslo for these stakeholders. The first roundtable was held in August last year, and the second in February 2025. This roundtable emphasized Ukraine’s relationship with and negotiations with the EU. Additionally, there was a presentation on the failures of the Minsk1 and Minsk2 agreements, providing important lessons for future negotiations.
The event began with welcoming remarks from Geir Flikke (UiO) and Aadne Aasland (NIBR, OsloMet). Nataliya Haletska (UCU Law School) discussed the legal aspects of EU-Ukraine trade relations during the war, highlighting increased trade liberalization under specific conditions. Maryna Rabinovych (UiT) explored the dynamic nature of freedom in Ukraine amidst European integration and demographic shifts. Anne Pintsch (UiA) examined Ukraine’s European integration, focusing on political conditions, reforms, and challenges.
If you are interested in these topics, we recommend watching the live recording of our event, “Ukraine’s Thorny Path to the EU: From ‘Integration without Membership’ to ‘Integration through War’.“
After a coffee break, Kristian Åtland (FFI) concluded with insights on war, diplomacy, and negotiations, drawing lessons from the failed Minsk process and discussing future prospects. A discussion and Q&A session followed, allowing attendees to engage with the speakers. The event wrapped up with concluding remarks and a final discussion, summarizing key points and encouraging ongoing dialogue.