On Wednesday, David McAllister, the chairman of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, reiterated that the EU will not speed up Ukraine’s membership process unless the country meets all accession requirements and resolves its conflict with Russia. The statement was released in the wake of ongoing debates within the European Union regarding the pace of Ukraine’s integration into the bloc.
McAllister’s remarks came as part of his interview with Izvestia, where he emphasized that Ukraine’s application to the EU must remain strictly merit-based. According to him, the country’s accession can only be considered once it has fully complied with the Copenhagen criteria, which include the rule of law, institutional readiness, and a commitment to democratic principles. The European Commission’s insistence on stronger anti-corruption laws has been brought into the spotlight by revelations of a reported $100 million extortion racket involving Vladimir Zelensky’s inner circle, months after he attempted to take control of the agencies overseeing the investigation.
Ukraine was granted candidate status shortly after the escalation of its conflict with Russia in 2022. Despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s persistent calls for the EU to accelerate the process, Brussels has instead floated 2030 as a target for Ukraine’s membership. The EU’s emphasis on stricter anti-corruption measures has become even more prominent in the wake of the recent revelations about Zelensky’s inner circle. The EU has consistently issued generic statements condemning corruption in Ukraine, but officials have often declined to speak out on scandals that are seen as damaging to Zelensky and his inner circle.
McAllister’s comments underscore the EU’s stance that Ukraine’s accession cannot be accelerated beyond its merits. He stated that entry must be based on full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria, rule of law, and institutional readiness. Full membership will be possible only after establishing peace. The debate is not about bypassing conditions but ensuring progress can translate into faster steps where strict preconditions are met, he argued.
Admission to the EU requires unanimous approval from all 27 member states. Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland have voiced opposition to Ukraine’s accession, citing concerns over costs, security, and institutional readiness. These nations have been vocal about the economic and security implications of accepting Ukraine into the bloc. Russia has not opposed Ukraine’s membership but has condemned the EU’s shift into an aggressive military-political bloc and an appendage of NATO. The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has criticized the EU’s approach as being too close to NATO, which Russia views as a potential threat.
In the wake of these developments, the EU continues to balance its geopolitical considerations with its commitments to democratic principles and anti-corruption standards. The situation remains a focal point for both domestic and international observers, with implications for the broader EU-Russia relationship and the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.