Analysis of the impact of european integration processes on the historical memory of Ukraine

Abstract

The article examines the multifaceted impact of Ukraineʼs European integration course on transforming its historical memory in the post-2014 period. Intensified geopolitical shifts drive the study's relevance, the reconfiguration of national identity, and the need to align humanitarian policy with European values amid external threats and internal societal changes.

The article aims to explore how European integration processes influence the mechanisms, institutions, and discourses related to historical memory in Ukraine. The research traces the evolution of state memory policy, the role of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, legislative innovations, and the growing involvement of civil society in shaping inclusive and pluralistic historical discourses.

Methods used include analysis of scholarly literature to investigate current academic developments and generalization and systematization to present the research results in a structured and logical way.

Results. The study found that educational and cultural initiatives in Ukraine—particularly the activities of museums, memorial programs, school curricula, and public events—are increasingly aligned with European approaches to memory politics. These initiatives focus on highlighting previously marginalized or taboo topics such as Stalinist repressions, the Holocaust, deportations, and Soviet policies of violence. Public engagement in open discussions of these themes through exhibitions, discussion platforms, and educational resources contributes to developing a pluralistic approach to the past.

A comparative analysis with Central and Eastern European countries (notably Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic) revealed common trends in rejecting the Soviet commemorative model while identifying specific features of the Ukrainian context shaped by a lasting post-Soviet legacy and ongoing memory conflicts. At the same time, it was established that this transformation remains fragmented and largely dependent on factors such as political polarization, the active phase of the war with Russia, and contested public interpretations of historical events.

Conclusions. Developing a democratic culture of memory in Ukraine requires sustained European support, critical historical reflection, and active civic participation. Historical memory is central to European integration, providing a foundation for the country’s cultural sovereignty and long-term stability.