EU divided over expediting Ukrainian membership
As the EU faces severe economic strain from the imposed sanctions on Russia following the Ukraine war, several members do not support an expedited Ukrainian membership into the Union.
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EU flag in the European Parliament in Strasbourg
EU executives had reviewed Ukraine's accession bid in record time; cutting the process from months to weeks. This cut was defended by the chief spokesperson of the European Commission, Eric Mamer, on Friday.
"The Commission is actually delivering its opinion in record time. Things that usually take a very long time to be prepared are going to be delivered only a few weeks after Ukraine submitted its answers to the second part of the questionnaire," said Mamer.
Ukraine applied for the EU membership on February 28, shortly after Russia launched its military operation. It was followed by Georgia and Moldova, which decided to fast-track submission of their applications and similarly received the EU questionnaire in mid-April.
Read more: EU dampens Ukraine plea for 'immediate' membership
Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine's accession to the European Union would be expedited.
Later, the EU Commission president gave the Ukrainian President a questionnaire that pushed the membership decision forward. Von der Leyen said, "It will not, as usual, be a matter of years to form this opinion but I think a matter of weeks." Zelensky submitted answers to two parts of an applicant questionnaire in April and May.
Opinions are divided across the 27 EU nations and many members, as well as Balkan candidates. Some leaders have argued with others to approve Ukraine's candidacy as soon as possible in the face of the Russian military operation. While others, such as the Balkan candidates are not on board with a fast-tracked membership for Ukraine. Ultimately, the decision requires a unanimous vote.
Some opinions across the EU
French President Emmanuel Macron considered on Monday that it could take years or even decades for Ukraine to become a member of the European Union unless the bloc lowers its accession standards.
At the Conference on the Future of Europe at the European Parliament, Macron said that "Even we if give the status of candidate country [to Ukraine] tomorrow, I hope we move forward towards accession rapidly."
"In truth, it will probably take several decades," he mentioned.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had warned Ukraine against joining the European Union and NATO as Kiev aspired to obtain membership in both after the Ukraine war broke out.
Austria's EU Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler has predicted that the process will take more than a decade.
