President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted Ukraine’s software to affix the bloc simply three days after Russian forces started their invasion in February final 12 months, charting a transparent course in the direction of a future in Europe.
On Thursday (Dec 14), the EU’s 27 heads of state will meet on the European Council in Brussels in a so-called showdown summit to debate opening accession negotiations with Ukraine – a course of which might put the nation firmly on a path to membership.
HUNGARY THREATENS TO VETO TALKS
All member states are in favour, aside from one – Hungary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly mentioned his nation will veto the talks, claiming Kyiv is simply too corrupt to affix the EU.
As well as, Ukraine’s huge agricultural business might jeopardise the bloc’s cherished widespread agricultural coverage, he believes.
Mr Orban can be blocking greater than US$50 billion in new EU aid for the war-battered nation.
A number of European leaders have tried to barter with him however none have damaged the impasse.
Cash although, may simply do the trick.
The European Fee is predicted to unfreeze almost half of the US$24 billion it held again from Hungary a 12 months in the past over considerations about democratic backsliding and rule of regulation points.
Mr Orban’s crew has hinted that this cash, and even perhaps extra of the funds freed, may persuade Hungary to carry its veto.
LONG ROAD TO ACCESSION
Nonetheless, even when Hungary agrees to open talks, the process takes years, and Ukraine must make deep reforms to arrange for EU membership.
“They’ve to start out opening and shutting negotiating chapters on many alternative matters, whether or not it is associated to the rule of regulation, agriculture, good governance of minorities,” mentioned Ms Amanda Paul, a senior coverage analyst on the European Coverage Centre.
“This can be a very prolonged and tough course of. Ukraine must align its legal guidelines 100 per cent with these of the EU.”
Even for nations already carefully aligned with the bloc, similar to Sweden and Finland, the method took them two years.
Nations much less in lock-step take for much longer. Portugal, for instance, took nearly seven years to grow to be an EU member whereas Turkiye’s accession talks have remained stalled for almost 20 years.
FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES
The talks have far-reaching penalties that may have an effect on the frontline, the city populations and Ukraine’s future, mentioned observers.
Many Ukrainian refugees who fled from the battle really feel their nation can solely be protected within the EU.
“Becoming a member of the EU means safety. EU help for Ukraine implies that we will restore the safety inside our borders, and restore our financial improvement for the long run,” mentioned one refugee.