DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION TRAJECTORIES IN THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to provide a theoretical substantiation of the essence of the European Union’s digital sovereignty policy and to identify the specific features and patterns of its implementation in the Eastern Partnership countries, taking into account national institutional, legal, and technological trajectories of digital development. The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the conceptual foundations of the European Union’s digital sovereignty policy and identifies the specific features of its implementation in the Eastern Partnership countries under conditions of rapid digital transformation, increasing technological competition, and growing hybrid threats. The evolution of EU approaches to ensuring strategic autonomy in the digital sphere is examined, highlighting the combination of economic, legal, and security instruments aimed at strengthening data control, developing digital infrastructure, and forming a common regulatory space. The institutional mechanisms of EU digital policy implementation are analyzed, including the regulation of digital platforms, personal data protection, cybersecurity, digital identification, and data governance as key elements of modern digital governance. Special attention is paid to the adaptation of European digital standards in Eastern Partnership countries, where regulatory convergence remains uneven and largely depends on institutional capacity, economic development, and the security environment. Differences in national models of digital reform are identified, particularly regarding the pace of legislative harmonization, the development of e-government, and the establishment of digital trust mechanisms. The study substantiates that integration into the EU digital space is accompanied by challenges such as technological dependence, cybersecurity risks, and limited resources for implementing complex regulatory standards. It is concluded that the EU’s digital sovereignty policy contributes to strengthening digital resilience, fostering innovation-driven economic development, and enhancing transparency in public administration, serving as a key driver of the Eastern Partnership countries’ integration into the European digital ecosystem.