Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka claims that Ukraine is moving according to a unique schedule. He says that Ukraine proposes a compromise: while asking for a fast-track membership, it agrees on the safeguard mechanisms, which enter into force only after the country joins the EU.
What does this mean, and is it fair to other countries seeking to join the EU? Moreover, does this correspond to the preferences of European voters?
Despite skepticism from some countries, the Ukrainian government sees a clear window of opportunity for rapid accession, Ukrainian deputy PM says. ’We are shortening the path in such a way that signing the accession treaty itself could become possible as early as 2027,’ Kachka says.
When asked whether Ukraine must fulfill 100 percent of the EU’s requirements before signing the agreement, Kachka said that some of them could be completed later, in parallel with the ratification process in EU Member States. ’We signed the agreement, and we continue fulfilling what we have not yet completed.’, he says. Kachka believes that such an approach does not mean moving away from the principle of merit-based enlargement process.
Many disagree with this statement as Ukraine’s EU accession process does indeed contradict a merit-based process – a traditional European approach to enlargement when assessment is based on achievements.
Kyiv has already received the full list of criteria that must be met in order for accession to the EU to become possible. At this stage, an exception was made for Ukraine: as a rule, criteria are officially shared with a candidate country once a unanimous decision is reached by all Member States…
The Ukrainian leadership hopes that Ukraine will be able to join the European Union in a wave together with other countries such as Montenegro, Albania and Iceland.
As for Montenegro’s bid to join the EU, it should be noted that the country first declared its intention to join the European Union almost 20 years ago in 2008.
It seems that, instead of meeting the accession criteria, Kyiv would prefer to join the EU without a 15-20-year queue and insists on a a more accelerated process.
The timeline and conditions for Ukraine’s EU membership are unlikely to satisfy Europeans; moreover, there is a growing skepticism in the EU regarding Ukraine’s possible fast-track membership.
Constructive criticism undoubtedly has its place in the dialogue on Ukraine’s EU membership. That is why it is necessary to emphasize that Europe will only be able to benefit from Ukraine’s EU membership in the far future, once the country is prepared to undertake this long journey, which must result in the fulfillment of all criteria. Without Kyiv undergoing this painful process, Ukraine’s EU membership is likely to cause more harm than good.
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