EU Enlargement & Defence: Fast-Tracking Ukraine & a New Security Council
- Brussels, Belgium – The European Union is grappling with the complex challenge of integrating Ukraine, a process accelerated by Russia’s ongoing invasion.
- Ukraine formally applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, just days after the full-scale Russian invasion began.
- The EU’s enlargement process is traditionally governed by the Copenhagen criteria, established in 1993.
Brussels, Belgium – The European Union is grappling with the complex challenge of integrating Ukraine, a process accelerated by Russia’s ongoing invasion. While the political will to support Kyiv is strong, significant hurdles remain, ranging from internal divisions within the EU to the need for fundamental reforms within Ukraine itself. The question is no longer simply *if* Ukraine should join the EU, but *how* to overcome the logistical and political obstacles to make it a reality.
Ukraine formally applied for EU membership on , just days after the full-scale Russian invasion began. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested an expedited process, a call echoed by leaders in several EU member states. The European Commission responded positively, acknowledging Ukraine’s European aspirations, but cautioned that accession would be a lengthy undertaking. Ukraine was granted candidate status on , and screening of its legislation began on .
The Copenhagen Criteria and the Roadblocks to Enlargement
The EU’s enlargement process is traditionally governed by the Copenhagen criteria, established in 1993. These criteria demand stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, and human rights; a functioning market economy; and the ability to adopt and implement the vast body of EU law – the ‘acquis communautaire’. While Ukraine has made strides towards meeting these requirements, particularly since signing an Association Agreement with the EU in 2014, significant challenges persist. The criteria, originally intended to facilitate accession, have increasingly become a tool for existing member states to delay or obstruct the entry of new candidates.
The process is further complicated by the requirement for unanimity among all EU member states for both the opening and closing of accession chapters. This creates opportunities for individual countries to exert disproportionate influence and pursue bilateral agendas. Hungary, under the leadership of Viktor Orbán, is currently blocking the formal commencement of Ukraine’s accession negotiations, citing concerns that have not been publicly detailed but are widely understood to be linked to domestic political considerations and its relationship with Moscow.
The current framework, designed for a more stable geopolitical environment, is proving inadequate to address the urgency of Ukraine’s situation. A conventional accession process, even if accelerated, is unlikely to provide the immediate security guarantees and economic support that Ukraine desperately needs. The EU is facing a critical juncture: adhere to established procedures and risk leaving Ukraine vulnerable, or adopt a more radical approach to expedite its integration.
A Fast-Tracked Approach: Overcoming the Impasse
Several proposals have been put forward to overcome the current impasse and accelerate Ukraine’s accession. One key suggestion involves revising the Copenhagen criteria to reflect the current strategic realities. Enlargement is increasingly recognized as an instrument of EU foreign policy, security, and defense, a shift that should be formally codified. A new criterion could be added, explicitly stating that the immediate membership of Ukraine is a strategic imperative for the EU’s own security and values.
reforming the decision-making process within the EU is crucial. Currently, the Council of the European Union requires unanimity for opening and closing accession chapters. Shifting to a Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) system for these stages, with the Commission initiating the process unless blocked by a reverse qualified majority, would significantly streamline the process and reduce the potential for obstruction. This would align with existing treaty provisions that grant the Commission significant authority in overseeing the accession process.
A novel approach, suggested by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, involves granting Ukraine membership on a probationary basis. This would allow Ukraine to join the EU while continuing to implement necessary reforms, with the EU retaining leverage to ensure compliance. The accession treaty could be provisionally applied, with full ratification completed over a period of two to three years. During this probationary period, Ukraine would participate in the Council, albeit without a veto, in areas where accession chapters have been successfully closed.
Towards a European Defence Union
Beyond accession, the long-term security of Ukraine and the EU requires a fundamental rethinking of European defense capabilities. The current reliance on unanimous decisions within the EU framework is hindering progress towards a more robust and coordinated defense policy. A potential solution involves establishing a European Security Council, composed of member states committed to deeper military integration. This council, potentially including the UK, Iceland, Norway and Canada, could take on responsibilities such as crisis management, capability development, and arms procurement.
Such a council could operate alongside existing EU institutions, leveraging the European Defence Agency and utilizing enhanced cooperation provisions where appropriate. It would also be tasked with integrating Ukraine’s military into a broader European Defence Union, potentially through participation in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects. The ultimate goal would be to create a standing European army, capable of responding to future security threats and reducing reliance on external actors.
The creation of a more integrated European defense structure would require a new intergovernmental treaty, potentially modeled after the Schengen Agreement. This treaty would establish clear decision-making procedures and empower the European Security Council to act decisively in matters of security and defense. It would also lay the groundwork for a future incorporation of the Security Council within the broader EU framework.
On , EU ambassadors approved details of a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, agreed upon by EU leaders in December, to cover most of Kyiv’s financial needs in 2026 and 2027. This financial support, while crucial, is only one piece of the puzzle. The EU must demonstrate a willingness to adapt its institutions and procedures to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. Fast-tracking Ukraine’s membership, coupled with a strengthened European defense posture, is not merely a matter of supporting a sovereign nation; it is a matter of safeguarding the future of Europe itself.