In Brussels, the European Union’s executive body is anticipated to propose a significant step toward Ukraine’s potential membership in the EU this week, as per EU sources. This represents a coveted achievement for Kyiv, particularly as weariness sets in nearly two years after Russia’s invasion. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, is set to release a report on Wednesday assessing Ukraine’s progress in meeting the requirements for EU membership. During a recent visit to Kyiv, she commended Ukraine for its advancements.
The report and recommendation will play a crucial role in a key decision to be made in December by a summit of EU national leaders, determining whether formal membership negotiations with Kyiv should commence. It’s important to note that such negotiations are a lengthy process, requiring candidates to meet rigorous legal and economic criteria, and the EU is not inclined to accept a country currently at war.
Nevertheless, Ukraine is eager to pursue Western integration as a top priority, despite the challenges its troops face and concerns about the future of critical US military support. In June, the Commission acknowledged that Ukraine had met two out of the seven conditions set by the EU to initiate membership talks.
Von der Leyen emphasized Ukraine’s remarkable progress, recognizing its efforts in both combatting corruption and safeguarding minority rights. She expressed confidence that Ukraine would soon fulfill the remaining requirements to advance on its path to EU membership.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, affirmed the country’s commitment to meeting these conditions and highlighted the positive impact that EU membership would have on Ukrainian society and its armed forces. He stressed that Ukraine’s inclusion in the EU would strengthen both the country and the broader European community.
This development comes at a time when Ukraine’s military leadership acknowledges a shift toward attritional warfare, and when international concerns about the ongoing conflict are increasingly evident.
In a positive sign for Ukraine, Germany’s Foreign Minister expressed optimism regarding the EU’s support for Ukraine’s bid for membership. Kyiv is expected to receive a green light this week, contingent on its continued efforts to combat corruption and safeguard minority rights.
The European Commission’s report will also cover other countries aspiring to EU membership, including Moldova and Georgia. Moldova is likely to receive conditional positive recommendations based on its efforts to address organized crime and mitigate the impact of Russia’s aggression. Meanwhile, Georgia faces challenges in meeting the 12 conditions set for candidate country status but has the backing of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as the EU seeks to assert influence in the region in the face of Russia’s actions.
Source: Reuters