- EU recommends Ukraine membership.
- Challenges in EU accession.
- Geopolitical significance and divisions.
The European Commission has recommended that formal negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the European Union commence.
Kyiv is now one step closer to EU membership, precisely five months after being granted candidate status by the 27 member states.
Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the commission, praised Ukraine’s “outstanding progress despite facing an existential conflict.”
Additionally, she suggested that negotiations begin with Moldova and Georgia, which could qualify as candidates if they implement reforms.
Both Moldova and Ukraine submitted membership applications in the weeks following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and were accepted as candidates in June. Georgia did not receive candidate status during that period.
President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the European Commission’s report as “historic” and deemed the day to be critical.
Ms. von der Leyen stated that Ukraine had accomplished “significantly more than ninety percent of the essential reforms” outlined by the EU a year ago, adding that “the objective is truly attainable.”
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She also mentioned that it was a day of celebration in Georgia. It is believed that the Tbilisi government has made substantial progress in combating organized crime and violence against women while promoting gender equality.
A definitive resolution regarding the recommendations will be reached during the summit of EU member states in December.
Challenges on the Path to EU Accession
However, the devil is in the details when it comes to achieving membership.
EU accession negotiations are typically slow, consisting primarily of slaloms of caveats and technicalities. Candidate nations must satisfy stringent legal and economic requirements to be admitted.
According to an EU diplomat, candidate status does not automatically imply tomorrow’s accession to the EU.
The entire process typically takes around ten years, but it may extend beyond that timeframe.
“The Western Balkans serve as a prime example of how slow, complex, and ineffective the process can become,” said Tina Akhvlediani of the Centre for European Policy Studies.
All 27 EU members must support each enlargement decision, and any nation may halt negotiations at any time, often due to bilateral disputes.
“It could be due to cultural differences, ethnic identities, or even the country’s name.” “Greece demanded that North Macedonia be renamed Macedonia,” Ms. Akhvlediani stated.
The report published by the European Commission on Wednesday, nevertheless, suggests that Ukraine should:
- Further reform the selection process for constitutional judges and implement more stringent measures to combat money laundering and corruption.
- Enact new legislation to limit the influence of oligarchs, the country’s most influential businessmen.
Ukraine has had significant corruption problems, and it must do more to implement judicial reform, which is foundational, according to Tina Akhvlediani.
However, some leeway exists given Ukraine’s current conflict.
Despite the invasion, significant progress has been made, and diligent efforts have been made to restore order. Christian Democrat Michael Gahler, a German MEP, remarked, “It’s truly remarkable.”
In contrast to Ukraine’s pursuit of NATO membership, the European Union does not possess a collective defense agreement. However, according to Mr. Gahler, Ukraine’s accession to the EU would deter Russia from attempting to seize the country again.
“We need to make it very clear that Ukraine belongs in Europe,” commented Mr. Gahler. “While it does not orbit Russia, it is firmly established in the West.” “In order for this to happen, however, we must initiate accession negotiations.”
Nonetheless, the EU faces a dilemma. It is divided between the challenge of integrating a country of Ukraine’s size and turmoil and the desire to convey a message of solidarity to its citizens.
Ukraine is the most extensively mined nation on earth, awash in weaponry, and Russia controls an estimated 18% of its territory, according to the most recent estimates.
“EU leaders recognize the critical importance of securing Ukraine’s security integration in the West, but they also understand that this enlargement would present more formidable obstacles than any prior expansion,” said Stefan Lehne of the Carnegie Europe think tank.
Ukraine’s Geopolitical Significance
The EU will struggle to assimilate a large, different country.
President Zelensky has assured that Kyiv will comply with the Commission’s requirements and emphasized that a favorable EU decision will invigorate his soldiers.
The escalating concerns of Western allies regarding “Ukraine fatigue” make this particularly pertinent. He has expressed his opinion that the Israel-Hamas conflict “diminished attention” from the Ukraine conflict.
The geopolitical urgency is such that no EU member state is willing to admit Ukraine while it is at war, according to Tina Akhvlediani of the Centre for European Policy Studies.
Failure on the part of Ukraine to accede to the EU would result in the nation’s loss to Russia. Autocracy is pitted against democracy. “We cannot stand by indignantly as Russia invades other European-aspiring nations.”
However, European Union enlargement has never transpired gracefully. The European Commission, which oversees the process, typically adopts a favorable stance towards potential future accession, whereas national administrations frequently experience divisions in this regard.
Divisions and Obstacles
Brussels considers Hungary to be the primary obstacle that could derail Ukraine’s ambitions. A photograph was recently taken of Prime Minister Viktor Orban shaking hands with Vladimir Putin of Russia; Orban has been critical of Russia’s decision to increase military support for Ukraine.
Initially, the enlargement of the European Union was motivated by the imperative to strengthen Western Europe during the Cold War. Subsequently, it was reoriented towards achieving stability in the territories that had gained independence from the former Soviet dominion.
The renewed Russian threat has reignited interest in enlisting the assistance of nations in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.
“European nations are cognizant of the fact that we are engaged in a systemic conflict with an aggressive Russia,” asserts Michael Gahler, a German. “Eighty percent of the world is observing Europe’s response.” Reversing our position on Ukraine would be an absolute catastrophe. The International Community would perceive us as unreliable allies.”
