Zelensky eyeing fast-track EU membership ahead of Kyiv summit, but likely to be disappointed

EU leaders are in Kyiv for a summit with Ukraine, the primary such summit to happen since Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to invade the nation.

The 2 events will discuss a number of issues, from European navy and humanitarian assist to additional motion towards Russia.

High of the agenda, nonetheless, might be talks about Ukraine becoming a member of the EU. On this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is more likely to be left disenchanted. Sure, the EU has accepted Ukraine as a candidate state. Sure, Europe has broadly rallied to assist Ukraine in defending itself towards Russian aggression. However becoming a member of the EU is a sophisticated, prolonged course of that, regardless of how pressing Ukraine’s needs, can’t be sped up.

Forward of the summit, Zelensky introduced a widespread crackdown on corruption in Ukraine. It’s no secret that the size of corruption in his nation would make becoming a member of the EU any time quickly tough, so the transfer is to be welcomed. However whereas Ukraine remains to be at warfare, it’s going to be very tough for the EU to correctly assess how a lot this motion has achieved.

Maybe extra importantly, the folks in Kyiv are representatives from the European establishments moderately than the heads of presidency.

Something difficult within the EU — and nations becoming a member of is about essentially the most difficult — requires the settlement of all 27 members. This will takes over 10 years. They don’t simply need to agree on a rustic becoming a member of, they need to agree that the candidate nation has met all types of standards by means of a collection of votes that in some circumstances needs to be authorised again in home parliaments of member states. And with member states nearly at all times disagreeing over some concern or one other, these votes can be utilized as bargaining chips.

So, in a nutshell, the EU can promise Ukraine extra assist amongst different issues Kyiv may need proper now. However on the large query, even the heads of the establishments are on the mercy of home European politics.