Ukraine’s accession negotiations to the European Union (EU) are a process that could last for many years and in which Russia has sought to intervene. The talks are taking place ten years after Russian troops seized Crimea in an attempt to block Ukraine’s accession to the West. Moldova is also expected to start EU membership negotiations. In this context, a candidate country has to align with EU policies.
EU membership requires the approval of the 27 member states. Hungary has blocked EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) support for Ukraine. Hungary’s Minister of European Affairs stated that Ukraine does not meet the criteria for EU accession. Ukraine could become the EU’s largest member and influence its agricultural policy. Ukraine has a target of EU membership by 2030, but needs to complete many reforms.
This year Ukrainian officials have participated in several explanatory sessions with representatives of the European Commission. Tatiana Berezhna, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy, announced that they will hold a meeting on the entire set of legislation once negotiations start. Wojciech Przybylski, Director of the Warsaw-based think tank Visegrad Insight, likened Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations to Poland’s path, which completed the process in five years.[1]
Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized his opposition to the admission of Ukraine to the EU and to further enlargement in general. Przybylski, on the other hand, said that he believes that enlargement is necessary for the EU to survive and develop, adding: “We know that there may be a slowdown or pause in the enlargement process, but this issue will be revisited in January during Poland’s EU presidency.”.[2]
A political momentum is currently building and Ukraine is trying to expand the network of supporters of this momentum. The country is the starting point of Europe’s largest armed conflict since World War II. Przybylski sees enlargement as the peace project in Europe and defines the EU as an instrument of peace building in Europe. Ukraine’s EU membership could become an important part of this process.
Ukrainian officials also point to the difficult process they will face with the start of EU accession negotiations. The Government in Kiev has announced its commitment to strive to meet EU standards on issues such as agricultural policy and human rights. Ukraine is also said to be ready for this process.
In 2017, Ukraine underwent a significant transformation thanks to the Association Agreement signed with the EU. The country was recognized as a “candidate for EU membership” shortly after being subjected to Russian interference. At the same time, Moldova was also recognized as an “EU candidate” and started accession talks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Ukraine’s efforts and underlined that the country has made great progress despite being at war.
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Ukrainian MP and former Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, emphasized that Ukraine wants to continue the progress of its EU membership and for this, society and political sectors should work together. According to her, without real changes in public services and administration, civil society and different political parties need to be involved. He also stated that this process will be difficult and that it will not be possible to move forward without talking to the society about the difficult steps in a framework of honesty.[3]
For EU membership, Ukraine has to harmonize its laws and standards with the EU in 35 different policy areas. Each issue is negotiated and submitted to EU members for approval. The Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine emphasized that the country has been successful in implementing European legislation.
Tatiana Berezhna, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Economy, emphasized that she is responsible for negotiating on employment, social issues and free movement of workers and stated that Ukraine has taken the necessary steps on these issues and is now “ready for negotiations”.[4]
Ukraine’s EU accession process is quite complex and changing from time to time. Ukraine aims at European integration as a country that wants to strengthen its relations with the EU and enter the membership process.
After gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine started to take steps towards EU membership. The 2014 “EuroMaydan Protests” and the subsequent annexation of Crimea by Russia have increased the country’s proximity to the EU, but have also brought internal and external challenges.
Relations with the EU deepened further with Ukraine signing an Association Agreement. In 2017, visa exemption for Ukrainian citizens was granted and economic integration steps were taken. However, full membership requires Ukraine to complete internal reforms, fight corruption and raise democratic standards.
Although there is currently no clear date for Ukraine’s EU membership, the country’s European integration and reform process continues. The EU supports Ukraine and encourages its reform efforts. However, the political will and conditions need to be favorable for both Ukraine and the EU to complete the accession process.
[1] “Ukrayna Avrupa Birliği’ne katılım görüşmelerine başladı”, Voice of America, https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-begins-talks-to-join-european-union/7669600.html, (Date of Access: 28.06.2024).
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Ukrayna AB üyeliğine doğru uzun bir yola çıktı”, Voice of America, https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-sets-out-on-long-path-to-eu-membership/7675241.html, (Date of Access: 28.06.2024).
[4] Ibid.
