Zhang Hong

(№.5,2016)

Abstract: The political transition of Ukraine is not only the process of political pluralization and economic marketization, but also the result of political westernization and economy’s integration into the globalization. The national political transition is not only driven by the domestic factors but also influenced by the international environment. In the political transition process of middle and small countries, the role of geopolitical factors is especially outstanding. Due to the special geographical position, the political transition of Ukraine is subject to the dual influences of America, EU and Russia. Along with the expansions to the east of EU and NATO after the cold war, Ukraine begins to become the crack between the west and Russia, and the changes of geographical environment increases the influence of international factors in the political transition of Ukraine. America and the EU influence Ukraine politics with the means of economic aid, supervision on election and mediation of conflicts, while Russia resists the penetration of western countries with the means of energy price, nationality problem and support to talents. The geopolitical competition among large powers intensifies the complexity and resistance of Ukraine’s political transition, and finally leads to the national regime change and outburst of civil conflicts.

Keywords:Ukraine; political transition; geopolitics; America; EU; Russia