In recent years, Ukraine has become increasingly unpredictable, marked by frequent government changes, shifting parliamentary coalitions, and conflicting foreign policy directions. This collected volume presents insights from a broader investigation by Ukrainian scholars conducted in 2007-2008 and updated for the realities of 2010. The authors analyze various societal spheres to propose three integrated scenarios for Ukraine's near future: a "realistic" (inert) scenario, an "optimistic" scenario, and a "pessimistic" scenario. The actual developments may incorporate elements from all three. Key trends include a deepening socio-demographic crisis, ongoing neglect of social capital and civil society resources by politicians, and potential sovereignty issues in Ukraine's relationship with Russia. The introduction by Galushko outlines the study's approaches and concepts. A chapter led by Smola discusses the main socio-economic challenges and trends, while separate contributions analyze "development by plan" and the evolution of Ukraine's information sphere. Kotigorenko addresses ethnic conflict risks, Magda examines political development trends, and Titova focuses on preserving Ukrainian cultural heritage. The volume concludes with integrated scenarios formulated by Galushko, Smola, and Magda.
