The European Discourse on Energy Relations between the EU and Ukraine

The article explores the energy relations between the European Union and its eastern neighbor Ukraine, however, the article is focused on the discursive formations that determine the prevailing interpretation of the relationship by both parties. Building on a discourse analysis of 103 textual units published by EU institutions and selected leaders of the EU, the main goal of this article is to analyze the energy discourse of the European Union in its relations to Ukraine on the basis of an identification of basic discursive complexes and then to interpret and analyze the content, main topics, and perception of Ukraine by the EU within discourse. The article is focused on the period of the first Barroso Commission – from 2004 to 2009, during which time a number of crucial and substantial events occurred that significantly affected the energy relations between the European Union and Ukraine.