LONDON (Bywire News) - Ukraine is set to be granted an EU candidate status on Thursday, in a move which is likely to make Vladimir Putin even more upset than he already is. The fast-tracked process, which would normally have taken months, was accelerated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and represents a significant blow to the dictator’s strategic aims.
A step in the right direction
Speaking about the decision Ursula von der Leyen, chief executive of the European Union declared: “History is on the march”
“I am talking about the wind of change that once again blows across our continent. With their applications, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia are telling us that they want change."
Ukraine and Moldova will have completed the first real step toward EU membership on Thursday while Georgia will be given a chance to move closer to membership. However, they will have to satisfy a number of conditions to be granted EU membership.
"The term historic is a term that is bandied around, but this can be called historic," stated an EU diplomat, prior to the 2-day summit. "Even a month ago, Ukraine's EU candidacy might have appeared far-fetched."
Balkan discontent
While the decision is good news for Ukraine and Moldova it has been greeted less enthusiastically by other Balkan countries such as Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia, Servia, North Macedonia and Montenegro whose own hopes have taken a blow. The neglect of Balkan countries could potentially create an opportunity for Russia to expand its influence in the region.
A disheartened Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama tweeted: "We'll attend the EU Council meeting. There won't be much to hear about." Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabić, is also considering nonattendance.
Coherence in the union
The gathering will also be a chance for the EU to discuss a number of challenges such as the rising cost of food, inflation and energy supplies in the wake of Russia’s invasion. Meanwhile, the ever-present threat of climate change looms larger than ever with member countries falling way behind their targets set at the Paris Climate Accords.
It’s a time when the EU faces challenges on all fronts. With the exit of the UK, there were many who questioned its future. Even so, polls suggest more than two-thirds of Europeans are still supportive of the union, the highest score seen in 15 years.
Even so, the changing nature of the world scene sees the EU reconsidering how it works including internal voting structures.
Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor has stated that the main reform required is one in its “internal procedures”, in voting areas such as foreign and security policy. As opposed to votes requiring unanimity, decisions could be allowed with a simple majority.
One thing’s clear, the gathering will be another chance for the EU to bolster their support of Ukraine and present a united front against Russia. One of the reasons Putin launched the invasion was to reduce what he saw as growing Western influence in the area. Instead, he’s seen Sweden and Finland move towards NATO and Ukraine moving significantly closer to full EU membership – a prospect which would have been unthinkable at the start of the year.
(Writing by Anna Kapanadze, editing by Tom Cropper and Klaudia Fior)