US President Donald Trump forced Ukraine supporters to make a zero-one choice. His aggressive pursuit of the end of the war at the expense of serious concessions of Ukraine fueled instability in Kiev. In response, Europe strengthened its support, and this stimulated unrealistic political activities.
As a result, many members of the Alliance are now demanding a radical acceleration of Ukraine's accession to the EU As a result of the decision of the European Council of 2022 on granting the status of a candidate country. What's more, everyone who gives these promises even the smallest criticism is now exposing themselves to the accusation that they do not take Russia's aggression seriously and even helps Moscow.
The admission of Ukraine to the EU, however, is a huge challenge that would completely change the budget structure of the Union and threaten its unity, considering that this country would immediately become the largest recipient of EU funds.
The problem of corruption did not disappear
These fears were common among the EU establishment not so long ago. In 2023, the former chairman of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker noticed that Ukraine is not ready to join the EU due to problems related to the rule of law and corruption, saying: “Everyone who had something to do with Ukraine, knows that it is a country corrupt at all levels of society.”
Despite many reforms, this problem persists. A survey conducted in 2024 by the National Corruption Prevention Agency showed that 90 percent Ukrainians believe that corruption is still common and most claims that the situation is getting worse.
Even more disturbing is that national anti -corruption agencies are currently widely seen as political tools. For example, Semen Krywonos, who has been managing the National Anti -Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NAB) since 2023, has a political debt to the head of the office of President Volodymyr Zelanski, Andriy Jermak for taking a high position two years earlier in the state regulatory bodies.
Critics say that Jermak used martial law to strengthen his power and politicize state institutions, using them to persecute opponents and isolate allies. So when the Nabu investigation into Jermak was quietly discontinued without explanation – his brother was allegedly caught on the sale of political positions and access to the Chancellery of the President – many considered confirmation of selective justice.
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Even more disturbing is that the deputy Jermaka was under investigation, while maintaining supervision over Nab. This case has also been discontinued.
Of course, like Trump, the previous US administration also had concerns about corruption in Ukraine. However, fearing to provide “ammunition” to the Republicans before the election in 2024, she decided not to discuss this issue in public – and this strategy had the opposite effect. Silence only strengthened the suspicions of the Magician supporters to cover up the matter and meant that help for Ukraine became the subject of party disputes. Ironically, it also helped to create conditions for taking drastic actions after choosing Trump.
Now, when a similar gap appears at international level, Europe should avoid deepening divisions.
Juncker was aware of the fact that everything other than the long -lasting process of Ukraine's accession to the EU is a false promise: this country simply does not meet the criteria in several key accession chapters. Meanwhile, membership is offered as a means of providing long -term stability and anchoring Ukraine in the West.
Errors from the past
However, most importantly, if this fails – or this process will extend indefinitely – the alliance risk leaving the country in a state of suspension and even greater susceptibility to threats than before, which will ultimately destroy the purpose of this offer.
However, a quick reception of Ukraine without reforms would be a repetition of errors from the past – only on a larger scale. For example, Montenegro, a candidate country since 2010, remains far from membership due to persistent concerns about corruption, because the EU has tightened the criteria after the reception of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007. Although the European Court of Accounting warned that these countries are not ready for it.
The population of Ukraine is more than 60 times greater than Montenegro, and its pre -war GDP was 36 times higher. This intensifies the scale and complexity of the challenge, which is corruption. Reforms can take decades. Meanwhile, Brussels still makes promises that he is unable to keep realistically.
Martin Divisek / PAP
People holding the flags of Ukraine and the EU and banners supporting Ukraine on Europe in Prague, the Czech Republic, May 9, 2025.
In addition, fast accession to the EU would even weaken trust in the Union when Europe seeks to play a more assertive geopolitical role. Ukrainians may lose their faith in the EU, like many Serbs after 15 years of uncertainty – by 2022, 43 percent. The inhabitants of this country have already lost hope of joining the Union. Many Balkan Serbia's neighbors also began to question whether Brussels is still seriously approaching the issue of extension.
Simply put, abandoning caution in the case of Ukraine would fuel the frustration of those who are already deceived.
What's more, the hurried process with Ukraine threatens to import large -scale systemic corruption to the Union and weaken it from the inside, as well as the deterioration of the relationship between members. Hungary has repeatedly paralyzed the EU decision -making process in retaliation for suspending funds due to fears regarding the rule of law. If these standards are considered flexible in the case of Ukraine, it will only worsen, then already tense relations.
In times of growing aggression of Russia and the increasingly unpredictable policy of the White House Weakening the internal EU standards for a symbolic gesture is not either Union nor Ukraine. The road forward requires neither impulsive reactions or naive optimism, but constant support for Ukraine's war efforts – strengthening its defense and ensuring its maximum tender position in future negotiations.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
