Ukraine urges faster EU support and clear membership path

Ukraine has issued a warning that it requires more effective support from Brussels, including a defined path towards European Union membership, during European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s recent visit to Kyiv. Coinciding with Europe Day, which promotes peace and unity within the continent, von der Leyen discussed Ukraine’s development in democratic and anti-corruption reforms ahead of an October report to be handed to EU member state leaders. These leaders must then come to a decision on whether to initiate formal EU membership discussions with Ukraine.

Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, called for the EU to expedite ammunition deliveries, disregard restrictions on Ukrainian grain exports, and engage in EU accession talks for Ukraine. He expressed that the time has come to remove the “artificial political uncertainty” between the EU and Ukraine and take positive steps toward the country’s potential EU membership.

Zelensky addressed the severity of export restrictions imposed by neighboring EU nations, describing their impact as “cruel” and “disappointing” during wartime. The limitations on Ukraine’s grain exports have recently been a point of dispute amongst the allies. EU countries Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia have grappled with Ukraine over this issue, following a decline in agricultural export access due to Russia’s invasion.

Grain export restrictions imposed by the EU members have been labelled as “unacceptable” by Brussels. After representatives from each party concerned agreed to ensure the transit of Ukrainian grain exports via EU territories with reduced restrictions, von der Leyen mentioned the necessity for seamless and affordable grain transportation from Ukraine to the European Union, facilitated by close cooperation amongst various stakeholders, reports Bangkok Post.

Though there is a considerable amount of support and goodwill for Ukraine in EU capitals, some are doubtful about the nation’s capability to enter formal accession negotiations within the current year. While Kyiv holds optimistic hopes, Brussels estimates that talks may take six to 10 years to come to fruition.