Can Ukraine become a member of the European Union? When could the country join the EU?

The European Union has made an important announcement regarding Ukraine’s accession to the economic block. The European Commission announced that member states will agree to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

Ukraine and EU relations

In February 2022, Russia intensified the ongoing conflict in Ukraine by launching a full-fledged invasion. In response, the Ukrainian government turned to their neighboring countries in the European Union for support. In the initial stages of the war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine made a heartfelt appeal to the member states of the EU, formally requesting membership. The plea came amidst Russian military attacks on Ukrainian cities and as a 40-mile military convoy advanced towards Kyiv with the aim of overthrowing the government.

Ukraine has an association agreement with the European Union (EU), which it signed in 2017. The agreement aims to align Ukraine’s economy with the EU and deepen political ties. However, to become a full member of the trading block, Ukraine must meet certain economic and political conditions before it can enter into negotiations. As the war nears the two-year mark, the country is no closer to meeting the criteria needed to enter the block.

Ukraine has been working towards becoming a member of the EU and NATO for several years. In 2019, this goal was included as an amendment to the country’s constitution. Joining the EU would help Ukraine to secure its borders with Russia. However, while many members of the trading bloc are also members of NATO, the EU does not have a joint military defense component.

Ukraine becomes a perspective EU member

After submitting an application, a country’s ability to meet the Copenhagen criteria is assessed by the European Commission. Any potential member must have a free-mark economy, a judiciary system based on the rule of law, and a stable democratic political system.

In June 2022, the country was granted the status of an EU perspective member. The decision acknowledges Ukraine’s commitment to the fundamental principles reflected in the Copenhagen criteria on which the European Union was established. This month, the European Council initiated accession negotiations with Ukraine. However, there are still various stages that Ukraine must navigate to become a member state.

President Zelenskyy shared the news with a video on social media, which elaborated on the next steps, including developing a negotiation framework that is expected to be approved in the spring.

A long road ahead

Organized crime is a major issue for Ukraine’s EU perspective membership, according to an annual report released by the EU Council. The EU Council has recommended that the Ukrainian government “should also launch the national serious organised crime threat assessment in line with EU standards and build the capacity to implement it.” This legal framework must focus on building the “institutional capacity” to investigate financial crimes and recover and manage assets.

Additionally, concerning human rights, the EU notes that Ukraine has “only [demonstrated] limited progress [...] in the field of prevention of torture and ill treatment in prisons and other forms of detention.” Before membership is granted, the Council says that a “cultural change within state authorities needs to materialize” so that those who perpetrate such acts are held accountable. These issues relate to broader issues with the Ukrainian justice system that must be addressed before the entrance to the block can be granted.

The next step for Ukraine to continue on the membership path is for the EU and the prospective members to develop a roadmap.