When will Ukraine join the EU: an ambassador’s forecast

Ukraine will join the European Union by the end of the decade, despite the possibility that the war may not end by the end of 2024.

This opinion was expressed by EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová, during the NV "Ukraine 2050. Dialogues about the Future" event.

"The war will not end this year, but I still predict that Ukraine will join the EU by the end of the decade. This is the forecast made by the current President of the European Council, Charles Michel, so I have confirmation of this assessment," the diplomat stated.

Mathernová highlights that the process of Ukraine’s EU accession has three main aspects: the war, the "technical part" (the actual negotiations for accession), and the "political part" (ratification by all member states through national parliaments or executive bodies).

The ambassador emphasizes that EU enlargement beyond the current 27 member states is a complex process, which is impossible without a reform of the entire system. As part of this, changes will be made in decision-making processes. She explained that not all of the challenges related to Ukraine's accession are faced by the country itself. Some of the challenges must be overcome by the EU itself.

In this context, Mathernová pointed to the rise of right-wing political forces in many European countries, which could strengthen isolationist tendencies.

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