Talk therapy: Ukraine’s EU accession and the hurdles ahead

Summary:

This publication argues that it will take creativity from European leaders to expedite Ukraine's path to membership of the European Union (EU) and overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

Further information:

European leaders last week agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine. This historic step was not an early Christmas present; nor did it come with a 'wartime discount' for Kyiv. It was a decision taken on the merit of the Ukrainian government’s progress on reforms. It also came despite objections from Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, who left the room rather than wield his veto.

However, Orban followed through on his threats to block the €50 billion Ukraine Facility, a package of funding that will be fundamental to Ukraine’s economic development and recovery. The European Council will likely face a similar challenge to secure unanimity on its framework to guide Ukraine’s accession negotiations.