European Union leaders said that preconditions have been established for the start of the first phase of Ukraine's EU accession process, which is a major boost to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's efforts to join the bloc, Bloomberg reports.
At the summit in Cyprus, leaders agreed that initial accession talks could begin in the coming weeks and months, an EU official said.
However, no specific commitments have yet been made regarding the date of Ukraine's accession to the EU. Croatia, the last country to join the EU, took nearly a decade to complete its accession process.
The renewed enlargement effort comes after a loan freeze was lifted and member states agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia, partly due to the election defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Officials in Kiev and Brussels had hoped that Orban’s departure would allow the accession process to gain momentum, especially with regard to the formal assessment of Ukraine’s eligibility. Orban has also blocked that process.
„Péter Magyar, who won a landslide victory over Orban this month, is expected to be sworn in as Hungary’s new prime minister in early May. However, other obstacles remain even after Orbán", writes Izdinanie.
It is important to note that despite the agreement to start negotiations, many member states have shown little willingness to speed up the application process, which usually takes many years. Kiev's bid for membership is particularly sensitive due to concerns about the potential impact on the bloc's budget, as well as on the agricultural and transport sectors.
While Ukrainian authorities have expressed a willingness to postpone access to some EU programs, including agricultural policy, Kiev has insisted on its aspirations to become a full member and is demanding firm commitments.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever has expressed support for discussing different membership options for countries wishing to join the bloc.
“If we want to enlarge Europe, it will probably be on the “onion” principle, with multiple levels of cooperation, and I think we need to discuss that,” he said.
Some member states have expressed strong support. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said there was no alternative to Ukraine's full membership of the European Union.
Fears that member states would not support a rapid accession process have intensified after Germany prepared a proposal that would grant Ukraine "associated membership" in the EU while speeding up the accession process.
Under the plan, Ukraine would be gradually integrated into EU programs and participate in bloc meetings, but would not have the right to vote.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed further involvement of Ukraine in European Union activities. However, he noted that rapid accession is impossible.