Mark Rutte, the outgoing Dutch prime minister, has been appointed as the next NATO secretary general after his only rival, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis, exited the race. Rutte is known for being a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin and has described the Russian peace plan as “absolutely crazy.” This appointment was seen as great news for Ukraine, as Rutte’s stance against Putin aligns with their interests. Additionally, the EU has officially opened talks on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, providing a morale boost for the country. While there is still a long road ahead for Ukraine, Belgian foreign minister Hadja Lahbib expressed confidence in Ukraine’s potential for success and assured ongoing support from the EU.
As the incoming Hungarian EU presidency approaches, questions arise about whether Hungary will support Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Hungary has previously been known to block support for Ukraine, particularly as its focus has been on the western Balkans, mainly Serbia. Teona Lavrelashvili, a political scientist at Catholic University in Leuven and a visiting fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, believes that the EU’s decision to start accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova before Hungary’s presidency was a strategic move. However, she acknowledges that Hungary still has the power to influence the enlargement process moving forward.
One obstacle to Ukraine’s EU membership is a sense of Ukraine fatigue among certain countries, which could pose a risk for Kyiv in the long term. However, Lavrelashvili believes that the enlargement negotiations and bureaucratic processes will continue as planned, providing Ukraine with significant opportunities for closer ties with the EU. She also highlights the need for expertise and support in areas such as environment and agriculture, which Brussels will need to provide to facilitate Ukraine’s integration. The opening of accession talks presents a valuable opportunity for Ukraine to undergo a transformative experience on its path towards EU membership.
When asked about a potential timeline for Ukraine to become an EU member state, Lavrelashvili emphasizes the complexity of the situation. She notes that factors such as the political willingness of the European Union, the pace of reforms in Ukraine, and the evolving security situation will all play a role in determining the timeline for accession. Additionally, security considerations and budgetary issues from the EU side present further challenges. While naming a concrete deadline for Ukraine’s EU membership is challenging, Lavrelashvili underscores the importance of leveraging the enlargement process to benefit Ukraine and other countries in the enlargement process. Overall, Ukraine’s journey towards EU membership will depend on various factors and ongoing support from the EU.
