War in Ukraine: EU pours cold water on Zelensky’s “unfulfilled expectations” of imminent membership in the bloc

Dozens of senior European Union officials are set to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a historic summit in Kyiv on Friday, but their message of solidarity will come with a warning that the war-torn country should not expect to join the club anytime soon. . .

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, accompanied by most of its 28 Commissioners and Charles Michel, President of the Council of the European Union, will join Mr Zelensky and his government for a series of meetings to discuss the European Union’s support for Ukraine. in advance, in advance. on the anniversary of the Russian invasion.

But while they seek to demonstrate their unity with Ukraine in the face of a threat from Moscow, they will urge Kyiv to remain realistic about its prospects for EU membership. While Kyiv was granted EU candidate status last June, officials may say it could take a decade before the country is ready to join.

The message on managing expectations will be carefully considered to ensure that Ukraine is praised and encouraged for its progress towards EU accession criteria and encouraged to keep up in the long and tedious negotiations that lie ahead.

European Commission officials are alarmed by what they say is an increasingly “unrealizable expectation” for Ukraine to gain EU membership by 2026. There are fears that Ukraine expects the EU to skip some key steps in the normally lengthy and tedious accession process. . However, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal even said this week that he hopes to join within two years. On Tuesday, Mr. Zelensky expressed hope that the summit would reflect the high “level of cooperation and progress” with the EU, adding hopefully: “We are waiting for news on Ukraine.”

The draft explanation for the event does not mention Ukraine’s expected timetable for 2026, instead stating that Kyiv must meet the same key criteria as all future members.

“Ukraine underlined its determination to fulfill the necessary conditions for the early start of accession negotiations,” the draft communique reads. “The EU welcomed Ukraine’s efforts to carry out reforms in such difficult times and encouraged the country to continue along this path.” to support the further European integration of Ukraine”.

While few doubt Ukraine’s enthusiasm for EU membership (Mr Zelenskiy formally applied on Feb. 28, just four days after the Russian invasion began), the country is far from ready to join. The EU has strict entry requirements, including modern, stable political institutions and a free and fair market economy. French President Emmanuel Macron warned last May that the process could take “several decades.”

Crucially, the country is fighting corruption, which observers say still thrives in Ukraine and hinders the country’s economic development. Yesterday’s wave of repressions against high-ranking figures shed light on this issue.

However, the EU mission will seek to encourage Ukraine to continue the reform process. Ms von der Leyen said during a visit to Kyiv in September that the accession process was “going according to plan”, adding that she was impressed by the “speed, determination and rigor with which you are making progress.”

The team will also provide support in other areas. The talks are expected to include additional EU humanitarian and financial packages, as well as the next wave of sanctions against Russia. EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, who will be in Kyiv, will lay out the bloc’s plans to set up a war crimes court to try the Russian leaders behind the invasion, including the generals involved in the atrocities.