Від Помаранчевої революції до Революції Гідності: європейська інтеграція та міжнародна легітимація демократичного курсу України, From the Orange Revolution to the Revolution of Dignity: European integration and the international legitimation of Ukraine’s democratic course

<jats:p>Purpose of the article is t o examine the evolution of the international legitimation of Ukraine’s democratic course from the Orange Revolution of 2004 to the Revolution of Dignity of 2013 – 2014 through the lens of the interaction between internal political transformations and the responses of international actors. The study analyzes the role of the European Union, the United States, and international organizations in shaping the political recognition of Ukrainian authorities, identifying the key factors that facilitated the transition from symbolic support for democratic changes to their institutional consolidation. Methodology. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, and a systematic approach. It employs problem - chronological and historical - comparative methods, along with the analysis of international legal documents and diplomatic decisions. Scientific novelty. The novelty of the research lies in its comprehensive interpretation of the international legitimation of Ukraine’s democratic course as a multi - layered process combining normative - diplomatic, institutional - legal, and security dimensions, as well as in a comparative analysis of international responses to the events of 2004 and 2013 – 2014. Conclusions. The study demonstrates that the Orange Revolution initiated a pattern of conditional international legitimation, wherein the democratic conduct of elections became a prerequisite for international political recognition, albeit without the institutional confirmation of Ukraine’s European perspective. Between 2005 and 2013, EU – Ukraine relations were characterized by an asymmetry between expanding functional cooperation and the lack of a membership perspective, which eroded international confidence in Ukrainian reforms. The Revolution of Dignity marked a decisive turning point, as international responses shifted from diplomatic statements to institutional decisions, ultimately securing the legal and security consolidation of Ukraine’s democratic course.</jats:p>