PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS OF THE POLISH DIASPORA IN UKRAINE AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS OF THE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY IN POLAND: SINCE THE CHANGE IN POLITICAL SYSTEMS UNTIL THE PRESENT

Abstract

The article considers the process of political life as a system of behavior and mechanisms of political actions that influence the nature of political institutions and their structures in the 90s of the 20th century in the Republic of Poland and Ukraine in the context of the changes in the political systems of both states. The norms of public organizations' activity, both Poles and Ukrainians, are actualized in terms of political norms, principles, and traditions that define and regulate the socio-political life of society. Renunciation of the communist regime in both states made it possible to create a space for friendly relationships between our nations. This happened due to the activities of various types of public organizations – Polonia in Ukraine and the Ukrainian community in Poland. The study focuses on the transformational changes in political systems and the structure of relations between two neighboring states, where social and cultural cooperation plays an important role. This cooperation is the most effective way of unification. It is the scientific, educational, and artistic ties between peoples that are characterized by massiveness and stability, which is why they contribute greatly to the spiritual enrichment of the Ukrainians and Poles. Polish-Ukrainian cooperation constantly acquires a new meaning and new quality. It has become possible not only due to the political will of Ukrainian and Polish elites but also owing to the scientific explanation of complex and controversial events of the past and the highlighting of positive moments in Ukrainian-Polish relations today. Analyzing the processes that led to changes in post-communist Poland and Ukraine, we refer to the development of the opposition movement, the authority of the then elites, the leaders of the independent trade union “Solidarity”, and intellectuals from the cultural and educational environment of Ukraine. The political transformations and changes that took place in Ukraine at the beginning of the 21st century are most supported by Poland, its public organizations and government structures, the parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Polish members of the European Parliament, and by the former and current Presidents. Ukraine received support from the large public community of Ukrainians in Poland during the bloody events of the Revolution of Dignity, Russia's military aggression, the occupation of Crimea, and other interferences in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. Ukraine received strong support from the large community of Ukrainians in Poland during the bloody events of the Revolution of Dignity, Russia's military aggression, the occupation of Crimea, and other interferences in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.