Publication

Ukraine saw hosting the European Football Championship as an important project in terms of image-building and modernization, providing a major impulse for economic development. Though the investments have contributed to an improved Ukrainian infrastructure, it would be rather inaccurate to say that Euro 2012 has brought about a real modernization of the country. The funds allocated for the preparations were relatively modest and partly spent in a non-transparent fashion, giving rise to suspicions of corruption. The trial of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, sentenced to seven years in prison in October 2011, has also harmed Ukraine’s perception in the West.