Experts: Ukraine's Path to Full EU Membership Will Be Tough, No Concessions
Ukraine's accession to the European Union is mutually beneficial, but the road to full membership will be difficult and Brussels is unlikely to grant special concessions to the war-torn country, Latvian experts say.
Latvian foreign policy experts argue that Ukraine's integration into the European Union would bring advantages to both sides, but the journey toward full membership is not going to be easy. In an interview with LSM.lv, researcher Elizabete Vizgunova-Vikmane from the Latvian Institute of International Affairs and researcher Armands Astukevičs from the Center for East European Policy Studies (APPC) stated that Brussels will most likely not offer any special leniency to the war-ravaged country.
The experts emphasize that the negotiation process will require significant reforms in Ukraine and may take several years. However, the mutual interest is clear: the EU would gain a new member state with substantial economic potential, while Ukraine would receive security guarantees and access to the single market.
At the same time, analysts note that the EU's enlargement policy has become more cautious in recent years, and Ukraine will have to meet strict criteria. The absence of special concessions means that Ukraine must carry out deep reforms in rule of law, anti-corruption, and the economy. According to the experts, this is expected to ensure sustainable integration.
Overall, the experts agree that Ukraine has a real chance to become an EU member state, but it will require time, political will, and considerable effort from both sides.
