"Ukraine has either been denied membership by the EU because it was seen as outside “Europe” (by being in the Eurasian CIS and closely linked to Russia), a view commonly held in Western Europe in the 1990s, or because it had peacefully resolved its ethnic problems and did not experience a civil war (unlike the former Yugoslavia). Ukraine was in effect being ‘punished’ for joining the CIS in 1991 (unlike the three Baltic States) and not having had a civil war (unlike the Western Balkans).

Ukraine was therefore offered in Feb. 2005 the rather demeaning membership of the European Neighborhood Plan (ENP) with a three year Action Plan. Ukraine would have received the ENP Action Plan regardless of whether Viktor Yanukovych or Yushchenko had won the 2004 elections. The EU largely ignored the Orange Revolution.

The geographic distribution of ENP members reflects the fact that that the EU’s policy towards Ukraine is ill thought out. ENP members include non-European states in Northern Africa and the Middle East as well as three European countries: Ukraine, Moldova and  – since 2007 – Belarus. The ENP does not include the Western Balkans (with Stabilization and Accession Agreements) or Turkey (a candidate member since 2005) while Russia has excluded itself preferring to conduct a bilateral relationship with the EU. Turkey began membership negotiations in 2005 despite strong opposition to its membership in Western Europe; France and Austria will hold referendums on future EU members. In France support for Ukraine’s membership of the EU is far higher than for Turkey and President Nicolas Sarkozy has a good relationship with Premier Tymoshenko." (Kyiv Post) From article - "Ukraine’s path to Trans-Atlantic and European integration has not been as rapid as envisaged following the Orange Revolution."

Perhaps intergration may speed up with PM Tymoshenko and the new Cabinet in charge esp. as Nemyria stated that European integration is a priority (in english here) and outlined in the Cabinet's Program "Ukraine's Breakthrough - for the People, not for the Politicians". (Turchynov's take on the program, and Ukrayina Moloda's take on it.) In regards to NATO, PM Tymoshenko has made it clear that the issue will be decided via referendum and as only around 20% of UA population support it (which btw mirrors the support it had in Poland before Poland joined, afterwards it was around 60%), the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO seems remote which puts joining EU out of reach.

While from the NATO standpoint -  "We have an intensified dialogue with Ukraine and Georgia and we should make use of them. We are all aware of a situation in Ukraine, there is a newly formed government there and I mean to reach contacts with it, he said. Answering a question on likely reaching an action plan with Ukraine at the Bucharest summit, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the decision will depend upon will of NATO members." (UA Gov Portal) (btw the statement totally supports the KP oped statement that "Georgia and Ukraine had always been treated as one group by the US and NATO for NATO membership prospects.")

BTW - anyone has an url for an english lang. full version of the new Cabinet's program? could also be listed as "Ukrainian Breakthough - for people, not for politicians". Thanks.