Ukraine can start the formal accession talks with the European Union. However, as highlighted by Iryna Solonenko, a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Liberal Modernity, these negotiations are anticipated to be challenging and protracted. Solonenko underscores the importance of avoiding shortcuts, emphasizing Ukraine's commitment to undergoing necessary reforms. Simultaneously, she advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of the EU's accession system. Solonenko hopes that the ongoing war will end before the conclusion of negotiations, clearing the path for Ukraine's full accession.
The European Union has opted to commence accession talks with Ukraine. Iryna Solonenko, a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Liberal Modernity, underscores the challenging and intricate nature of these negotiations, emphasizing the presence of numerous difficult technical hurdles. She also highlights Ukraine's readiness to undertake essential reforms for full EU integration. At the same time, Solonenko advocates for a transformation within the EU itself to facilitate the enlargement process. Expressing hope, she envisions the end of the war in Ukraine before the conclusion of negotiations, thereby paving the way for the country's accession to the EU.
The podcast was produced as a part of the 5th German-Polish Round Table on the Eastern Europe.
Project partners: Kolegium Europy Wschodniej, Zentrum Liberale Moderne and Austausch e.V., co-funded by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Warszawa and Fundacja Współpracy Polsko-Niemieckiej/Stiftung Für Deutsch-Polnische Zusammenarbeit.