This study trip took place by invitation of Ukrainian industrialist Viktor Pinchuk in the context of his Yalta European Strategy. During the talks, Viktor Yanukovych, leader of the Party of the Regions, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and former Chairman of Parliament and Foreign Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk expressed diverging views regarding the future economic structure of Ukraine. However, they all put emphasis on the necessity of Ukraine’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic community. All three presidential contenders seek to achieve a de-escalation of the gas conflict between Russia, the EU and their country.