Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine is already known as a watershed moment in modern European history. Clearly, the European defense system before the war is no longer working and new methods are needed. While the Ukrainian army continues to liberate their country from the Russian occupation, there is still an opinion that the stability of the continent in the future will depend on how Ukraine will join the European Union.
This joint plan was already in place before the outbreak of violence in early 2022 but Putin’s decision to launch Europe’s biggest conflict since the Second World War. Ukraine’s deepening cooperation with the EU has many benefits for Europe itself and may prove beneficial for the United States.
Before the invasion of Russia on February 24, it seems that Ukraine has no idea of achieving the country’s stated goal of becoming a member of the EU. However, the seismic shock of Moscow’s offensive has changed the political landscape and created a new reality that has placed Ukraine’s relationship with the rest of Europe at the center of the continent’s security strategy.
At the beginning of the Russian occupation, President Zelenskyy showed his intention to defy the Kremlin by officially applying to join the EU. This is an important factor that helped frame the war as a war of independence against a rising Russia that refused to accept Ukraine’s departure from the Kremlin.
While Moscow sought to suppress Ukraine and reverse the decision made in 1991, Ukraine’s European ambitions reflected the country’s opposition to Russian authority. This helped to focus the attention of politicians across the continent. In June, Ukraine was officially granted candidate status.
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The strengthening of the relationship between Ukraine and the EU has reshaped the landscape of the country in several ways. For example, with Ukraine and Moldova now both recognized as EU candidate countries, the existing Eastern Partnership system that includes Ukraine and Moldova along with Georgia, Belarus, Armenia, and Azerbaijan no longer exists. here. As a result, Brussels is in the process of rethinking the entire EU Neighborhood policy for the region.
The current changes are creating the possibility of stability in Europe in the post-war period. This will be welcomed in Brussels and Washington DC. Ukraine’s former position in the geopolitical gray zone on the edge of Eastern Europe has left it vulnerable to Russian interference and made the country a source of instability. Declaring Ukraine’s status as a member of the Western world is in the interests of the EU and the United States. In addition to reducing Russia’s ability to act aggressively in the future, Ukraine’s full integration could make a significant contribution to the EU’s security and defense policy.
The EU and the US also have a common goal when it comes to the reform agenda in Ukraine. Both seek to strengthen the legal system and establish effective Ukrainian institutions while strengthening the country’s democracy. U.S. support for the further integration of Ukraine can be a powerful engine for these reforms.
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The changes expected by the EU and the US are in line with the vision of the future of Europe embraced by the majority of Ukrainians. Polls conducted since the beginning of the Russian occupation have consistently shown the overwhelming support of the Ukrainian public for European integration and EU membership. On the same subject : Americans arrested for corruption in Ukraine: Can the United States succeed in freeing them?. This creates a historic opportunity for change that can be captured with the help of Western partners.
The United States can support the European integration of Ukraine by working with the EU to develop a joint policy on the Ukrainian transition that provides stability and avoids any conflict or loop. This system should include a number of incentives and potential costs that will help keep reform efforts on track and prevent backsliding.
US officials can also play an important role in advocating in Europe to increase the benefits of cooperation with Ukraine. While the war launched by Vladimir Putin has changed the opinion about Ukraine and its position in Europe, there is still great doubt in the EU about the integration of Ukraine. The United States can help shape this emerging debate by emphasizing the benefits of Ukraine’s partnership for transatlantic relations and European security.
As Ukraine seeks to move from candidate status to a member state of the EU, it may make sense for the United States to organize financial and technical assistance to enhance this process and aid cooperation. Similarly, the monitoring policy can also focus on the corrective action plan developed to bring the country closer to the EU standards. This approach will bring clarity and welcome to the role of Ukraine’s international partners in the process of reforming the country.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the biggest threat to Europe since the end of the Cold War. Unless Vladimir Putin is defeated, the consequences for European security will be serious. However, if Ukraine succeeds in achieving a military victory, it could usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for Europe. This is clearly in the interests of all EU member states, and that is good for the US.
Dmytro Lyvch is an advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Head of EasyBusiness NGO, and Co-Founder of the First Economy Center. Yuliia Shaipova is an adviser to Ukrainian parliamentarians and Team Leader at the Center for Economic Recovery.
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The views expressed in UkraineAlert are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Atlantic Council, its staff, or supporters. To see also : Carli Osika career in music.
The mission of the Eurasia Center is to promote transatlantic cooperation to promote peace, democratic values and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe and Turkey in the West to the Caucasus, Russia and Central Asia in the East.
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Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen greet each other in Kyiv. On the same subject : How does the Global South policy of non-alignment and solidarity explain South Africa’s position on Ukraine?. September 15, 2022. (REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)
