EU rejects Ukraine’s hopes of expedited membership

• Ukraine’s expectations of joining the EU are being rejected ahead of a summit in Kyiv.
• A number of member nations have cautioned Kyiv that this will not be viable.
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy described last June’s EU candidature as a historic occasion.

Ahead of a crucial conference in Kyiv, Ukraine’s expectations of soon joining the EU are being rejected.

High-ranking officials have started to arrive in the Ukrainian capital ahead of a Friday summit between the EU and Ukraine.

Denys Shmyhal, the prime minister, stated before the meeting that Ukraine has set a “ambitious aim” of joining the EU in two years.

However, a number of the member nations have cautioned Kyiv that this will not be viable.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described last June’s record-breaking speed with which Ukraine attained EU candidature as a unique and historic occasion.

Although it is the first step towards membership, the procedure normally takes many years, and some nations are still waiting in line.

It would be a week of European integration, Mr. Zelenskyy said prior to the conference, and Kyiv was expecting choices from its EU allies in accordance with the advancements made despite the full-scale war with Russia.

Good to be back in Kyiv, my 4th time since Russia‘s invasion.

This time, with my team of Commissioners.

We are here together to show that the EU stands by Ukraine as firmly as ever.

And to deepen further our support and cooperation. pic.twitter.com/zf8fvoNKnG

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— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 2, 2023

Few people in Brussels believe that a two-year objective is attainable because they are worried that the optimistic rhetoric coming from certain senior EU officials may eventually turn people off.

“That’s not what Ukraine needs,” said one EU diplomat.

Another spoke of pressure, coming from countries such as Poland, to speed up the process.

“The slightest deviation from a more, more, more line is criticised as being on the wrong side of the war. Anything that smacks of criticism of Ukraine is almost considered as heresy or collaboration with the Russians.”

A draft EU statement, to be released after the summit, reiterates a pledge that Ukraine’s future lies within the EU and acknowledges “considerable efforts” made in recent months towards meeting objectives underpinning its candidate status and carrying out reforms.

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