EU advances Ukraine’s membership application despite opposition from Hungary.

The European Union (EU) has reiterated its commitment to Ukraine’s integration into the bloc, outlining a comprehensive list of reforms required for accession amid the ongoing conflict with Russia and opposition from Hungary. A meeting held in Lviv, Ukraine, gathered top EU officials and diplomats who emphasized the need for reforms covering approximately half of the necessary changes in the pathway to EU membership. Despite Hungary’s objections, the EU aims to advance Ukraine’s application, which has become increasingly important as NATO prospects have stalled.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has emerged as a significant barrier to Ukraine’s ambitions, arguing that EU accession discussions should not proceed during wartime. Orbán has raised concerns regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine along with potential economic risks associated with integration. Notably, Hungary was absent from the recent meeting in Lviv, maintaining its stance in opposition to the consensus of the other EU member states, which have expressed support for Ukraine. Additionally, Hungary’s continued close ties with Moscow further complicate the diplomatic landscape.

Despite these challenges, Denmark’s Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, affirmed the resolve of 26 EU member states to push forward Ukraine’s membership ambitions. Bjerre articulated confidence that it’s not a question of if Ukraine will join the EU, but rather when this will occur.

Drawing from its own historical experience, Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004 as a divided island, is poised to offer valuable insights to Ukraine regarding the accession process. As Cyprus prepares to take over the EU’s rotating presidency from Denmark on January 1, it has pledged to support Ukraine’s bid for membership. Cyprus’s Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, commended Ukraine’s determination to implement key reforms even amid the ongoing conflict.

The reforms required for Ukraine to align with EU standards are extensive, classified into six thematic clusters. The process of harmonizing its administration with EU systems is projected to span at least two years. Preliminary agreements on reforms related to rule of law, democratic institutions, internal market functionalities, and external relations were reached during the Lviv meeting.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Taras Kachka, highlighted the urgency of addressing recent corruption scandals, which have underscored the need for prompt rule-of-law reforms. He emphasized that despite existing hurdles, a clear framework for Ukraine’s enlargement process remains intact. The roadmap delineated for Ukraine sets out essential benchmarks and tasks needed for progress.

As it stands, Ukraine is among eight countries in the official EU accession queue, competing for membership with Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey, though the stages of negotiation vary widely among these candidates. Should it achieve membership, Ukraine would emerge as the largest country in the EU by land area, surpassing France, while also amplifying the bloc’s agricultural sector and energy influence.

Marta Kos, the EU’s enlargement commissioner, underscored the centrality of reforms to this process, asserting that no external force can impede Ukraine’s commitment to transformation. The overarching message from EU leadership remains clear: Ukraine is destined to become a member of the EU, a prospect that promises to extend the union’s values further eastward.

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