Ukraine's accession to the European Union: Negotiations to begin soon
European Council President Charles Michel affirmed that the European Union is eager to begin formal membership negotiations with Ukraine as soon as possible, a move representing a strategic and historic shift in the bloc's relationship with Kyiv. While not specifying a precise timeline, Michel emphasized the importance of maintaining the current momentum in the enlargement process, stating, "We want to be able, as soon as possible, to formally begin negotiations and move forward with the enlargement process.".
Historical background and political context
Ukraine’s ambition to join the European Union is not a recent development, but rather the culmination of years of gradual rapprochement. This ambition gained tremendous momentum after the 2014 “Revolution of Dignity,” which ousted the pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, as a popular reaction to his refusal to sign the Association Agreement with the EU. However, the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022 marked a decisive turning point. Kyiv submitted its formal application for membership just four days after the start of the war, a highly symbolic and politically significant move. The EU responded with unprecedented speed, granting Ukraine candidate status in June 2022, a powerful gesture of solidarity and a confirmation that Ukraine’s future lies within the European family.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The start of accession negotiations is of multifaceted importance. Domestically, it represents a tremendous morale boost for the Ukrainian people, offering tangible hope for a stable and prosperous post-war future and solidifying the country's path of democratic and economic reforms. Regionally and internationally, this step sends a clear message to Moscow that its attempts to keep Ukraine within its sphere of influence have failed and that the European Union is committed to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and geopolitical choices. Furthermore, the EU's eastward expansion will reshape the security and political landscape of Eastern Europe as a whole.
Challenges of the accession process: Copenhagen criteria and consensus
Michel praised Ukraine's efforts to implement the required reforms, particularly in the areas of combating corruption and strengthening the judiciary, even amidst the harsh realities of war. He emphasized that the accession process is governed by strict rules, referring to the "Copenhagen criteria" adopted in 1993. These criteria require any candidate country to have stable institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, as well as a functioning market economy capable of competing within the EU. The biggest challenge lies in the need for unanimous approval from all 27 member states at every stage of the negotiations, which gives countries like Hungary, which has previously expressed reservations, the power to obstruct the process. Although Budapest has agreed to grant Kyiv candidate status, the road ahead remains long and fraught with political challenges that will require persistent diplomacy to overcome.
