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A decision to grant Ukraine official recognition to the European Union must be made without eroding the bloc and without leaving Kyiv in limbo for years, according to a French presidential official on Friday. The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, will issue its opinion on Ukraine’s candidacy invitation on June 17, with heads of state expected to discuss it a week later at a summit. Even if approved, the process of becoming a full member takes many years and is subject to veto by any member state.
However, the 27-member bloc is divided on whether to grant the candidacy status. Some eastern EU member states want a firm promise now to send a strong signal to Russia in the aftermath of its invasion of Ukraine, while others, including the Netherlands and Denmark, are far less receptive. France and Germany, the bloc’s two powerhouses, have also expressed skepticism.
“We are aware that there are various intolerances on the topic within the European Union,” a French presidential source told reporters.
“We will pay close attention to the European Council’s unity. We also believe that the European Union must emerge from the Ukraine crisis stronger, not weaker.”
Three European diplomats predicted that the Commission, which will also make recommendations for Moldova and Georgia, would give its approval, possibly with conditions.
According to the diplomats, the heads of state would then most probably find a “formula” that would stop short of granting Ukraine candidacy status for the time being.
“The philosophy has now shifted. Nobody clearly says no, but the states that are undecided want to postpone the decision as long as possible “According to a European diplomat.
On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told a meeting in Denmark that grand declarations that Ukraine was a member of the European family should be followed by actions.
“Our position is unequivocal: Ukraine requires a legal commitment, not a political pledge. Hesitation costs my country too much “Following a meeting with the Commission on Thursday, Olga Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European Assimilation, said on Twitter.
Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed establishing a “European political community” to create a new structure that would allow for closer cooperation with nations EU membership. That initiative has irritated Ukraine as well as some eastern and Baltic states, who see this as an attempt to postpone membership.
