EU Expansion: Revitalizing Growth Following Brexit

Kyiv is advancing its formal application for European Union membership to integrate with Western political and economic systems, according to reporting by Kurier. The effort comes as the EU seeks to reverse its size reduction following the United Kingdom’s departure via Brexit, aiming to expand the bloc’s influence in Eastern Europe while Ukraine continues to operate under wartime conditions.

The process of accession began under air raid sirens in Kyiv, a detail Kurier highlighted to contrast the bureaucratic requirements of EU entry with the ongoing military conflict. This push for membership follows a period of stagnation in the union’s growth. The EU’s membership count dropped from 28 to 27 after the United Kingdom officially left the bloc on January 31, 2020.

Why is the EU prioritizing expansion after Brexit?

The European Union has not grown in membership since the UK’s exit, which caused the bloc to shrink for the first time in its history. According to source material from Kurier, there is a concerted effort to change this trend. Integrating Ukraine represents a strategic shift to stabilize the eastern border and incorporate a large economy and population into the single market.

EU officials have historically viewed enlargement as a tool for promoting democracy and the rule of law. By offering a path to membership, the EU provides a concrete incentive for Ukraine to implement systemic reforms. This strategy aims to align Ukrainian governance with European standards, specifically regarding judicial independence and the fight against corruption.

What are the requirements for Ukraine’s EU membership?

Ukraine must meet the Copenhagen criteria before it can become a full member. These standards, established by the European Council in 1993, require candidate countries to demonstrate stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. They also require a functioning market economy capable of coping with competition within the EU.

The European Commission monitors progress through annual reports. Ukraine’s path involves several distinct stages:

• Attaining candidate status, which the EU granted to Ukraine on June 23, 2022.
• Opening membership negotiations, where the EU’s body of laws—the acquis communautaire—is adopted chapter by chapter.
• Closing negotiations and signing a treaty of accession.
• Final ratification by all existing EU member states.

Ukraine’s “new government” is tasked with accelerating these reforms, according to Kurier. This includes updating anti-money laundering laws and strengthening the independence of the national anti-corruption bureau.

How does the war affect the accession timeline?

The ongoing conflict creates significant procedural hurdles. EU membership typically requires a country to have clearly defined and recognized borders. Because parts of Ukraine remain under Russian occupation, the EU has had to consider flexible or accelerated pathways that don’t necessarily depend on the immediate resolution of all territorial disputes.

The contrast between the “air raid sirens” mentioned by Kurier and the stability required by the Copenhagen criteria underscores the complexity of the process. Most previous candidates entered the EU during periods of relative peace and economic transition. Ukraine is the first candidate attempting to navigate this path while engaged in a high-intensity war.

What happens next in the membership process?

Ukraine will continue to submit reform benchmarks to the European Commission. The EU must balance the political urgency of Ukraine’s membership with the practical reality of absorbing a large, war-torn economy. Full integration would require the EU to adjust its Common Agricultural Policy and budget allocations to accommodate Ukrainian farmers and infrastructure needs.

Member states must also reach a unanimous agreement before any new country joins. This means Kyiv must secure support from all 27 current members, some of whom have expressed concerns about the speed of enlargement and the potential for internal instability within the bloc.