Ukraine is an Eastern European country located between Poland and Russia. However, it is not a member of the European Union, which is a unique partnership between 27 European countries, known as Member States, or EU countries. This country has shown interest in joining the EU since 1993, two years after the fall of the USSR. In November 2013, Ukrainians mobilized in response to their president Yanukovych who had refused to sign an association agreement with the EU. This agreement was finally signed in 2014. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine made an official membership request, and got the official "candidate" status right after. In general, once the country is considered as an official candidate, the negotiations and the integration process start.
[...] Also, Member states could vote in favor of Ukraine joining the EU for diplomatic reasons. By invading Ukraine, Russia has started a war on European territory, whereas armed conflicts had not happened there since the twentieth century. It was a shock for Europeans to see the return of conventional war, that is to say a war conducted by using conventional weapons and battlefield tactics between two or more states in open confrontation, on their territory. Thus, they could decide to help Ukraine militarily to prevent a potential expansion of the war on the rest of the European territory and to affirm European power in front of Russia trying to expand. [...]
[...] Ukraine joining the European Union: myth or reality? Ukraine is an Eastern European country located between Poland and Russia. However, it is not a member of the European Union, which is a unique partnership between 27 European countries, known as Member States, or EU countries. This country has shown interest in joining the EU since 1993, two years after the fall of the USSR. In November 2013, Ukrainians mobilized in response to their president Yanukovych who had refused to sign an association agreement with the EU. [...]
[...] Indeed, Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, leading to a war on Ukrainian territory. About 7.000 of civilians died and about 11.000 of them got injured before January 2023, that is to say about less than one 1 year after the beginning of the war, according to the UN high commission. Many people don't have access to biological necessities such as medical care, food or even water. Europe in general has been particularly touched by this humanitarian crisis on account of the geographical and cultural closeness with Ukraine. [...]
[...] Furthermore, Ukraine is one of the world's largest agricultural exporters: it means other European countries which export the same type of products, like Poland or Hungary, would henceforth have to face a tougher competition. Finally, an EU policy consists in giving at least 200 euros of subsidies to farmers each year per hectare farmed. Thus, Ukraine joining the EU could represent a too big commitment for current members. To conclude, I guess Ukraine has elements in its favor to join the EU, but it must be prepared for long negotiations regarding its inconveniences. [...]
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