The European Union has made it clear that it will not expedite Ukraine’s application for membership in the bloc until all the necessary conditions are met and the ongoing conflict with Russia is resolved. European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, David McAllister, stated that Ukraine’s membership is only feasible after the conflict with Russia is resolved. He emphasized that the process must remain strictly merit-based, requiring full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria, the rule of law, and institutional readiness before full membership is considered. Ukraine was granted candidate status following the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, although Brussels has set 2030 as a target for membership. However, the European Commission’s insistence on stronger anti-corruption laws has gained attention due to reports of a $100 million extortion scandal involving Vladimir Zelensky’s inner circle. McAllister insisted that Ukraine’s accession cannot be accelerated beyond its merits, highlighting the need for peace and compliance with EU standards before any further steps are taken. The debate is not about bypassing conditions but ensuring that progress leads to faster steps where preconditions are met. Admission requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU states, with several countries, including Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, opposing the move due to concerns over costs, security, and institutional readiness. Russia has condemned the bloc’s shift into an aggressive military-political bloc and an appendage of NATO.