Ukraine could join the EU as soon as next year under war-ending plan - Vučić
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (Photo: Getty Images)
An accelerated path for Ukraine to join the EU, set for as early as January 1, 2027, is part of a plan to end the war, states Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
“I’ll tell you something I heard, and I wouldn’t be saying this if it weren’t true. I learned that, if the peace plan is reached between Russia and Ukraine, not only one side but a significant part of the international community will be obliged to implement it. One point of the plan is that Ukraine will become a member of the European Union on January 1, 2027 - essentially tomorrow,” Vučić said.
He added that for the killings to stop and the peace plan to be implemented, Ukraine must become an EU member. However, the Serbian president noted that several countries would oppose Ukraine’s accession to the bloc.
“Neither Poland, nor Czechia, nor Hungary, nor Slovakia will agree with this. There will be a change in procedures - and it will be done by force, contrary to regulations and all other rules,” Vučić said.
Ukraine’s EU accession
The US peace plan envisions Ukraine joining the European Union on an accelerated timeline - no later than 2027. Washington believes it can overcome resistance from Hungary and other countries opposed to the move.
However, there are certain challenges surrounding Ukraine’s fast-tracked EU accession. For example, Reuters reports that the EU believes membership by 2027 is impossible, as Ukraine has not yet officially completed even one of the 36 stages of the accession process.
That said, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos recently noted Ukraine’s progress on the reforms required for EU membership, adding that accession should take place as soon as possible.
At the same time, the Financial Times recently reported that the EU is considering granting Ukraine membership with limited rights.
