21 June 2022

EPC: EU candidate status for Ukraine is a geopolitical and moral imperative

On 17 June, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine (and Moldova) be granted EU candidate country status. At the next European Council, EU leaders should follow suit sans conditions. Not doing so would be a geopolitical and moral blunder.

A test of strength, character and strategic vision

On 17 June, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine (and Moldova) be granted EU candidate country status with the “understanding” that further reform steps are needed. This decision is of historical significance for both war-torn Ukraine and Europe.

Since Mr Putin began his brutal war on 24 February, the Ukrainian people have been fighting not only for their existence and sovereignty but also to defend European values of democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms. But this is a fight that actually started during the 2004 Orange Revolution and through the 2013 Euromaidan protests.

Now that the Commission has given a positive recommendation, Ukraine should receive candidate country status without ex ante conditions at the upcoming European Council meeting on 23 and 24 June.

This would send a strong signal that Ukraine is part of the EU family, not a distant relative. It would be a huge morale boost for Ukrainians at a critical juncture in the war. It would clarify the nature of the future relationship between Kyiv and Brussels, as well as the direction of Ukraine’s development in the medium and long terms.

What is more, it will send a strong message to the Kremlin that the EU’s geopolitical awakening is a reality and not just a myth. A failure to offer candidate status would be a mistake and reveal a divided Europe without a clear strategic direction. Indeed, this would be a gift to Russia and other global actors that wish to overturn the current international order. Once again, the EU would be speaking loudly but acting timidly.

Finally, any step short of granting Ukraine candidate status could undermine transatlantic unity when it is needed more than ever to face Russia’s threat to Europe’s security.

The first step in a long journey

Candidate country status is not a watertight guarantee of EU membership. Rather, it is the first step on a long road of reform. There is no quick entry or shortcut into the EU club. With the war still raging, Kyiv will struggle to rapidly implement the totality of the accession criteria, or the Copenhagen criteria.

But Ukraine is not starting from scratch. It is implementing an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU since 2014. Large chunks of requirements have already been fulfilled successfully. Many of the benchmarks involved are identical to the Copenhagen criteria. As Commission President von der Leyen acknowledged, Ukraine has already fulfilled 70% of EU rules, norms and standards.

While many challenges persist, particularly on issues like corruption, judicial independence or the undue influence of oligarchs, today’s Ukraine is a totally different country from a decade ago. Indeed, Ukraine has made more progress in its reform path than some Western Balkan nations currently in EU membership negotiations.

Ukrainian civil society also plays a vital role. Vibrant and robust civil society activism and pressure have been crucial in Ukraine’s transformation and European aspirations. Dynamic and resourceful at both the national and local levels, civil society has acted as an important watchdog over the government and will remain a driving force in the months and years ahead. The reforms that Ukraine needs to undertake are not only part of an EU checklist for membership; they are also in the interest of Ukrainians.

No alternatives, no fudging

Confirming Ukraine as a candidate country requires the unanimous approval of the Union’s 27 leaders.

Despite warm words of support and solidarity, some EU countries remain reluctant. This reflects their longstanding, meagre political appetite for widening the bloc, especially when the EU is already reeling from multiple crises and its enlargement policy is no longer fit for purpose. France and Germany finally signalled their support for Ukraine’s “immediate candidate status” during a visit to Kyiv on 16 June, and the Netherlands seems to be getting on board. Meanwhile, other countries like Denmark and Portugal remain sceptical....

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