Ukraine’s EU entry in 2027 is not ruled out, EU expansion commissioner says

Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, has said the current EU enlargement methodology was designed for peacetime and needs radical change.

Source: Kos speaking at the 9th Ukrainian Lunch organised by Victor Pinchuk Foundation on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kos said Ukraine has already "contributed positively to Europe" by forcing the EU to rethink its priorities and putting enlargement back on the agenda.

Quote: "Second, we know again how important security in Europe is. Perhaps, we have forgotten."

More details: Kos acknowledged that under the EU's current legal framework it is impossible to meet the tasks Ukraine has set for itself.

Quote: "The methodology we are using now is made for peace. It's made for times when we have really enough time that the country can do all the necessary reforms. Sweden, just as an example, was the most developed country applying for the EU membership but even Sweden needed three years.

So, based on the present methodology, it's not possible [on] January 1, 2027. But we have to find the solution how to bridge the gap between the merit-based principle and methodology which we use plus-minus for the last forty years, and the geopolitical challenges on the other side. We cannot wait anymore."

More details: Kos said discussions on this had already begun but did not go into detail.

She said Ukraine's accession to the European Union should be seen not only as enlargement but as a geopolitical necessity.

Quote: "It is unifying Europe and it is for the first time ever we have the possibility, if we do it right, to do unification of Europe. And this is what is much, much bigger than just enlargement."

More on Ukraine's accelerated accession in the article Bringing Ukraine into the EU by 2027: exploring the idea of "membership-lite" as part of a peace deal

Background:

• Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said earlier in Munich that a fast-track agreement on EU accession is realistic. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius also said an agreement on a date for Ukraine's EU entry is possible.
• A recent opinion poll has shown that support among Ukrainians for joining the EU has risen sharply.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!