Bruce Stokes: Today the world has no clear vision of ​​what is going on in Ukraine

“Today the world has no clear vision of what is going on in Ukraine. At the same time there is awareness of its’ tough economy situation,” – emphasized Bruce Stokes, the Director of Global Economics Attitudes at the Pew Research Center, basing on social surveys conducted in Ukraine and in the West during the 9th Kyiv Security Forum, organized by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

“Today the world has no clear vision of what is going on in Ukraine. At the same time there is awareness of its’ tough economy situation. Unfortunately, this is what the majority of Ukraine's population considers as well. I want to note that although the Ukrainians have no confidence in the future, yet 40% of respondents believe that they will live better. And if we look at the issue from the point of the so-called age distribution, we will see that 60% of respondents in Ukraine under the age of 29 years believe that future generations will live better. This is a good sign, because despite the existing problems the Ukrainian society still believes in a better economic situation in future,” – said Mr. Bruce.

As for the obstacles to a better economic situation in the future of Ukraine and the West, B. Stokes points out that there is a “high level of distrust in state institutions”.

“Particularly, in Ukraine 66% of respondents believe that public institutions, including the courts and the government are inefficient. In turn, only 13% of Americans trust the Congress. As in Ukraine, many Western people have lost their trust in the institutions that build-up civil society policy. And today this is not less important issue than corruption. Though for Ukraine corruption probably is the main one,” – said Stokes.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

The annual international event Kyiv Security Forum launched by Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation in 2007 is a platform for debate on the most pressing security issues in Europe and the Black Sea Region.
Internet broadcast of the Forum:

9th Kyiv Security Forum (Ukrainian):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4bx8DXN4wk

9th KYIV SECURITY FORUM (ENGLISH)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEG5fdmhG2g