European Council President Antonio Costa affirmed the bloc's commitment to advancing Ukraine's EU accession , expressing his desire to begin formal membership talks as soon as possible. These remarks came during Costa's visit to Oslo, Norway, where he emphasized the need to maintain the political momentum of the enlargement process, although he did not specify a firm timetable for this historic step.
A new geopolitical context and Kyiv's aspirations
These statements take on particular significance given the complex geopolitical context facing Europe. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU enlargement process has transformed from a long-standing bureaucratic procedure into a strategic security imperative. Kyiv applied for membership just days after the war began, a move that reflected Ukraine’s determined desire to break free from Russian influence and fully integrate into the Western system. While proposed US plans to end the war suggest an ambition to admit Ukraine by January 2027, experts consider this date a significant challenge due to procedural complexities.
Reforms under fire and the Copenhagen standards
In his remarks, Costa praised Ukraine's exceptional efforts, noting that it is implementing profound structural reforms while waging an existential war. The European official rejected the notion of "light" or partial membership, emphasizing that the rules are clear and based on the "Copenhagen criteria" adopted in 1993. These criteria require candidate countries to demonstrate stable institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, as well as a functioning market economy capable of competing within the Union.
The obstacle of consensus and past experiences
Despite broad political support, Ukraine's path to EU membership procedural and legal challenges, most notably the "unanimity" requirement that grants any member state veto power. Attention is always focused on Hungary, under Viktor Orbán, which had previously expressed reservations, although it ultimately agreed to grant Ukraine "candidate country" status in 2022.
Historically, accession periods have varied considerably. While Finland achieved a record-breaking three-year timeframe for joining, Turkey has been waiting in the wings for nearly three decades, highlighting that the process depends as much on political will as on technical readiness. Observers believe that Ukraine's accession would shift the EU's political and economic center of gravity eastward, strengthening Europe's position as a unified geopolitical force in the face of global challenges.
