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

The European Union (EU) has taken significant steps to advance Ukraine’s accession prospects despite the ongoing conflict with Russia and challenges posed by member state Hungary. During discussions held in Lviv, Ukraine, EU officials outlined a substantive list of reforms necessary for Ukraine to join the bloc, asserting their commitment to progress even as formal negotiations remain stalled due to opposition from Hungary.

EU membership has emerged as a pivotal objective for Ukraine, particularly as its aspirations for NATO membership face uncertainty. The reforms highlighted by EU diplomats encompass roughly half of the required changes aimed at aligning Ukraine with EU standards, thereby facilitating progress even amidst Hungary’s objections.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed his opposition to advancing Ukraine’s EU hopes during wartime, citing concerns over the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine and the potential economic implications. This stance has placed Hungary at odds with the majority of EU member states, which are generally in favor of Ukraine’s accession. Notably, Hungary did not send a representative to the recent meeting, reinforcing its position diverging from EU consensus as it maintains close ties with Russia.

Marie Bjerre, Denmark’s Minister for European Affairs, emphasized that the consensus among the other 26 EU member countries is clear: the union envisions a future that includes Ukraine. She reinforced that the question of Ukraine’s accession is not if, but when it will occur.

Cyprus, set to assume the EU’s rotating presidency on January 1, 2024, is positioned to support Ukraine’s membership journey, drawing on its own history of accession as a divided island. The Deputy Minister for European Affairs of Cyprus contextualized Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty as a defense of the democratic principles that the EU stands for.

The pathway to EU membership for Ukraine involves a comprehensive reform agenda categorized into six distinct clusters, addressing critical issues such as the rule of law, democratic institutions, internal market operations, and external relations. Detailed requirements for three of these clusters were formalized in Lviv, indicating a structured approach to the reform process.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Taras Kachka, acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly in light of a recent corruption scandal that has underscored the urgency of implementing rule-of-law reforms. He noted that while formal unanimity is lacking, efforts to ensure continuity in the enlargement process are ongoing, with a clear understanding of necessary benchmarks laid out.

With eight other nations also in the accession queue, Ukraine’s potential membership could redefine the EU’s landscape. If accepted, it would become the largest member by land area, surpassing France. Its inclusion would not only bolster the EU’s agricultural strength and energy security but also serve to counteract Russian influence, further extending the union’s values into Eastern Europe.

Marta Kos, the EU’s Commissioner for Enlargement, underscored the importance of reform in the accession process, stating that these changes are vital and cannot be obstructed by any individual member state. She reaffirmed that Ukraine is on the path to eventual EU membership, highlighting the bloc’s unwavering support for the necessary reforms.

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