by Robin Emmott
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Commission recommended on Friday that Ukraine be granted candidate status for the European Union, a major step for the former Soviet republic at war with Russia to develop its economy.
“The Commission recommends […] that Ukraine receives candidate status,” said the president of the institution, Ursula von der Leyen, dressed in the national colors of the country with a yellow jacket and a blue shirt.
“Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the country’s aspirations and determination to conform to European values and standards,” she added.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky was quick to react by tweeting his country’s “recognition” after this “historic” decision, “the first step on the road to EU membership, which will certainly bring (Ukraine) closer to victory”.
The Commission also said it was in favor of granting Moldova candidate status but did not follow up on Georgia’s request, which must first meet more conditions.
These two former Soviet states submitted their candidacies a few days after the start of the war in Ukraine when they are also confronted with separatist movements in pro-Russian regions.
While some EU countries, including the Netherlands and Denmark, are not in favor of the candidacy of new countries, Volodimir Zelensky obtained the support of France, Germany, Italy and from Romania.
The heads of state and government of the EU will have to decide on the decision of the European executive at a summit scheduled for June 23 and 24 in Brussels.
Ukraine has hoped to join the bloc since 2014, the year in which pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown by the street.
However, the road to accession should take several years and require far-reaching reforms to fight against the endemic corruption that plagues Ukraine.
According to the NGO Transparency International, Ukraine is considered one of the most corrupt countries in the world, ranked 122nd out of 180.
Next week’s European summit should highlight the inability of the Twenty-Seven to agree on the fate of other countries wishing to join the EU – Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey, the latter being an official candidate since 1999.
If Ukraine is admitted to the world’s largest trading bloc, it will be the largest country in terms of area and the fifth most populous.
A prospect rejected by Russia, which could perceive the political gesture of Brussels as a new interference of the West in its zone of influence.
(Report by Robin Emmott, French version Laetitia Volga, edited by Sophie Louet)