The European Union’s approach to the membership applications of Ukraine and Moldova remains tightly intertwined, particularly due to concerns that decoupling the two could adversely affect Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities with Russia. Since both countries submitted their applications shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the EU has pursued their bids in parallel. Recently, the idea of separating the applications has gained momentum, primarily due to Hungary’s ongoing veto, which threatens Ukraine’s aspirations. As Moldovan parliamentary elections on September 28 approach, there is a growing urgency to advance membership talks, which proponents argue could help Moldova counteract Russian influence and societal polarization during the electoral process.
The political landscape regarding EU enlargement is shifting, with influential voices like Marie Bjerre, Denmark’s minister for European affairs, advocating for a unified approach. Bjerre emphasized that Ukraine should not be left behind as the EU evaluates its membership criteria. Both Kyiv and Chișinău have met the technical requirements to initiate the first stage of accession negotiations, which covers fundamental areas such as democracy and human rights. However, any advancement to the next stage requires a unanimous decision from existing member states, which has been problematic due to Hungary’s stance, further complicating the overall accession process.
Amid this complex backdrop, Denmark, as the current EU Council presidency holder, has pledged to exert pressure on Hungary to lift its veto, which has persisted for over a year. Hungarian officials maintain that their objections are merit-based and unrelated to Ukraine’s candidacy. However, Hungary’s vetoing position has provoked frustration within the EU, with ministers from Sweden and France condemning it as unacceptable and detrimental to other candidates like Moldova, whose European integration efforts are gaining momentum against Russian interference.
Moldova finds itself in a precarious situation, eager to advance its membership bid while fearful of leaving Ukraine behind during its time of crisis. Official voices from Moldova, including Cristina Gherasimov, have iterated the importance of keeping both nations’ applications coupled, stressing that regional stability is essential for their mutual security and progress. Member states share this apprehension, fearing that allowing Hungary’s veto to disrupt the applications could fracture EU unity and weaken support messaging amid diplomatic negotiations influenced by external actors, including the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the consequences of possible decoupling, asserting that it would fracture European solidarity in supporting Ukraine. This sentiment resonates with EU officials, who argue that a united front against external threats, such as those posed by Russia and China, is crucial. Calls for a common stance have echoed in dialogues among member states, with some expressing openness to discussing future options while emphasizing the need to signal solidarity to Ukraine.
Ultimately, the discussions surrounding EU enlargement are mired in broader geopolitical dynamics, reflective of ongoing tensions with authoritarian regimes. European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, highlighted the urgent need to resolve the impasse regarding Ukraine and Moldova, framing the accession debate as part of a larger contest between democratic and authoritarian influences. With growing public support for enlargement across EU countries, the calls for decisive action to integrate Ukraine and Moldova into the EU framework are expected to intensify as the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve.
