EU backs Ukraine's membership bid as war brings huge shift

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

BRUSSELS/KYIV, Ukraine, June 17 (Reuters) - The European Union gave its blessing on Friday to Ukraine to become an official candidate to join the bloc, along with its neighbour Moldova, an historic eastward shift in Europe's outlook brought about by Russia's invasion. Ukraine applied to join the EU just four days after Russian troops poured across its border in February. Four days later, so did Moldova and Georgia - two other ex-Soviet states contending with separatist regions occupied by Russian troops.

"Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the country's aspiration and the country's determination to live up to European values and standards," the EU's executive Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said in Brussels. She made the announcement wearing Ukrainian colours, a yellow blazer over a blue shirt. Leaders of EU countries are expected to endorse the decision at a summit next week. The leaders of the three biggest - Germany, France and Italy - had signalled their solidarity on Thursday by visiting Kyiv, along with the president of Romania.

"Ukraine belongs to the European family," Germany's Olaf Scholz said after meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The Commission recommended candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova, but held off for Georgia, which it said must meet more conditions first. Von der Leyen said Georgia has a strong application but had to come together politically. A senior diplomat close to the process cited setbacks in reforms there.

Ukraine and Moldova will still face a lengthy process to achieve the standards required for membership, and there are other candidates in the waiting room. Nor is membership guaranteed - talks have been stalled for years with Turkey, officially a candidate since 1999. But launching the candidacy process, a move that would have seemed unthinkable just months ago, amounts to a shift on par with the decision in the 1990s to welcome the ex-Communist countries of Eastern Europe.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/europe-steps-up-support-ukraine-russia-presses-offensive-2022-06-17/

[Lovie777]

1. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo . ..

if they are a member then they can't be attacked later in the future?

[Layzeebeaver]

2. The EU and NATO are two different governance structures

EU membership can translate into economic aid on a wider platform.

NATO membership ensures mutual military aid, troops and support if any member state is attacked. An attack on one is an attack on all - or so the treaty try to say.

That's the way I understand it.

[onetexan]

3. Correct, & my understanding 8s EU mbrship is seen as the first step to NATO mbrshp

[Layzeebeaver]

4. yes and no

NATO was established before the EU existed.

However, now days, the two structures have become commingled a bit.

NATO membership is what Putin wants to avoid, if EU membership has been accelerated due to the war, then NATO membership has also been accelerated.

[Beastly Boy]

5. An unmistakable "fuck you" message to Putin's ambitions towards Europe.

Ukraine is part of Europe, even the frigging Moldova is, but Russia is not. Can't wait for Finland and Sweden to join NATO.

[David__77]

6. I will be surprised if they allow Ukraine in EU.

I expect a bunch of noise about it and that’s about it.

[yaesu]

7. I think economic stability will be its biggest obstacle which they have no control over while

fighting a superpower on their own.

[iluvtennis]

8. Wow, excellent news!