Explained: What Does European Union Membership Mean For Ukraine?

On June 17, the European Union cleared the way for Ukraine to join the bloc, fulfilling one of its principal demands placed on EU leaders by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since Russia's invasion on February 24.

Ukraine and Moldova were suggested as official candidates for membership by the European Commission. The Eu members will meet on June 19 to discuss the proposal. However, EU membership negotiations typically last a decade or more and include a wide range of domestic economic, judicial, and diplomatic requirements.

EU member states' attitudes toward enlargement have also soured.

What is the European Union?

The EU is an association of 27 nations that operates as a single economic entity in the global economy. The UK, a founding member of the EU, left the bloc in 2020. The EU was formed by the Treaty Of Maastricht, which took effect on November 1, 1993.

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In recognition of its attempts to encourage peace and democracy in Europe, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. The EU is composed of ministerial delegates out of each member state. The presidency of the council is rotated every six months.

What does EU membership mean to Ukraine?

Ukraine has an association agreement with the EU, but it has long expressed a desire to join the establishment. Ukraine's accession to the EU is more significant in light of its conflict with Russia.

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Its admission will benefit Ukraine militarily because EU members are required by a mutual defence clause to support a nation if it is the victim of armed attacks on its territory. In addition, EU membership would strengthen Ukraine's economy and provide it with added benefits including free movement inside the EU and a slew of other rights granted to EU nationals.

After the war, the EU will have to substantially boost its assistance to Ukraine in rebuilding and adapting its infrastructure and services (particularly to better integrate them with EU infrastructures using European standards), as well as undertaking much-needed domestic policies.

What EU requirements must Ukraine meet?

Typically, to join the EU, a state must go through a lengthy and complicated process. However, In the midst of the ongoing Russian invasion, Ukraine has sought urgent affiliation under a special fast-track process.

Candidates must implement democratic principles and implement reforms in order to comply with EU rules, regulations, and standards in a variety of aspects, such as the economy and the state of law.

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The candidate state must fulfil the 'Copenhagen criteria,' that is a set of standards that a country must meet in order to enter the bloc. Among them are a free-market society, a democratic country, the legal system, human rights, and full compliance with all EU rules and regulations.

The negotiations are divided into "chapters" for various policy domains, and an applicant can only complete a chapter if all EU members agree that it has checked all the required boxes.

As a result, in order to become an EU member, a nation must complete 35 laborious "chapters" addressing issues ranging from judicial independence to aligning foreign policy with the EU and undergoing significant financial and economic changes. The procedure moves slowly.

What are the prospects of Ukraine joining the EU?

Ukraine has taken steps that would normally take months or even years. The plan is to send a clear political message to Ukrainian officials and the public as they fight for the ideals and beliefs that underlie the EU. Ukraine's EU ambitions are deeply ingrained, with over 86 % of Ukrainians now supporting EU membership.

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Ukraine requires the support of all 27 heads of government to become a candidate for EU membership, although some have actively supported the prospect, including Italy and the Baltic states, others were more unclear.

A group of EU countries, including Poland, wants full support for Ukraine, while others, including the Netherlands, prefer a more cautious approach.