Ukraine hails ‘historic step’ as EU takes Kyiv closer to membership.

On Wednesday, the European Union executive’s suggestion to invite Kyiv to start membership discussions as soon as it satisfies final requirements, even as it fights back against Russia’s conflict, was hailed as a “historic step” by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

As Ukraine battles a massive Russian invasion since February 2022, the European Commission’s proposal represents a significant turning point on Kyiv’s path to Western integration and a geopolitical maneuver for the EU.

According to the Commission, official negotiations should begin as soon as Kyiv fulfills the last requirements about combating corruption, passing lobbying legislation compliant with EU regulations, and bolstering protections for national minorities.

Zelenskiy said on social media that “this is a strong and historic step that paves the way to a stronger EU with Ukraine as its member,” promising to continue pushing through the required changes.

The next decision on whether to adopt the Commission’s recommendation is expected from the 27 national leaders of the EU in mid-December. Hungary is thought to be the most significant possible barrier to any such move, which would require the approval of all 27 countries in the bloc.

If approved, EU officials anticipate formal membership negotiations with Kyiv to begin next year. Years pass during these conversations before applicants satisfy stringent legal and financial requirements to be admitted. Plus, the bloc is hesitant to accept a war-torn nation.

“Russia’s aggressive war has caused Ukraine to endure immense suffering and tragedy,” stated Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. “And yet, the Ukrainians are deeply reforming their country, even as they are fighting a war that is existential for them.”

Zelenskiy hailed a “successful day” and assured the Reuters Next conference in New York that his nation had taken significant steps during the conflict to combat corruption, a prerequisite for joining the bloc. He also promised that corruption would not be allowed to interfere with his country’s postwar development.

Speaking of his government’s efforts to combat corruption, he remarked that “reforms are also fighting with an old system” in addition to the military. Transparency International listed Ukraine as one of the most corrupt nations in Europe before the conflict.

As per the European Commission’s assessment released on Wednesday, Kyiv has fulfilled four of the seven requirements to initiate formal membership discussions; the remaining two are almost finished. The Commission in Brussels, according to Von der Leyen, will review the situation in March of next year.

According to a senior assistant to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Budapest would not back Ukraine’s entry into the EU until Kyiv amends its legislation concerning minorities, particularly in education.

HISTORICAL CALL

Nevertheless, when war fatigue is mounting, and worries about the future of crucial U.S. military assistance are rampant, Ukraine’s primary objective is pushing Western integration.

The Commission issued a similar suggestion on Wednesday for Moldova, a neighbor of Ukraine dealing with its issues with Moscow.

“Moldova is firmly on the path to EU membership, and we will continue working relentlessly towards this goal,” the president of the nation, Maia Sandu, greeted the development with enthusiasm.

Brussels said that if Georgia satisfies all requirements—including Tbilisi’s alignment with EU sanctions on Russia for waging its war against Ukraine—it should be granted candidacy status for membership in the EU.

EU authorities claim that although Georgian society is broadly pro-European, the Georgian government is more keen to do business with Moscow.

The Commission stated that when several stringent requirements are satisfied, the EU should start membership negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

That is considered a difficult assignment given the division among EU nations toward Sarajevo, with the Netherlands heading a group emphasizing Bosnia’s democratic backsliding and Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia supporting deeper ties with the country.

Croatia was the last country to join the EU in 2013. With 450 million members, the EU is one of the wealthiest regions in the world, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for it to maintain its influence internationally. Britain became the first nation to exit the EU in 2020, a significant blow to post-World War II European unity.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the geopolitical rivalry between Moscow and the West erupted with new intensity, and expansion once more dominated the EU’s political agenda.

“The call of history is to complete our union,” von der Leyen declared. There is a compelling geopolitical and economic case for completing our union. Previous enlargements have demonstrated significant advantages for the EU and the member states. Everyone wins.