Ukraine's membership is in EU's interest, Netherlands says
Photo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s accession to the European Union would give a "significant boost" to the EU’s single market and help strengthen Europe’s security, stated the governor of the Dutch Central Bank, Olaf Sleijpen, Bloomberg reports.
Read also: Ukraine peace plan could feature rapid EU membership — Die Welt
Benefits for both sides
Sleijpen noted that Ukraine’s accession would increase the EU population by 45 million people. He emphasized that this would bring unique military capabilities and experience to the EU, significantly strengthening European defense.
"For Ukraine, EU membership, and adopting the regulations, institutions, and liberalization that come with it, would boost economic growth and prosperity," the Dutch central bank governor said.
He added that helping Ukraine open the door to EU membership aligns with the union’s own interests, while Ukraine itself could become a "catalyst for change" within the bloc.
Challenges on the path to accession
At the same time, Sleijpen stressed that Ukraine’s entry into the bloc would "first and foremost" require peace.
Even under these conditions, the path will not be easy due to the country’s large size, which will affect the EU budget and decision-making processes.
Ukraine’s EU accession
Currently, Ukraine’s authorities expect to join the European Union on January 1, 2027.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos noted that accession by this date is an ambitious but understandable goal.
According to the Commissioner, the current enlargement methodology was designed for peacetime and does not account for wartime conditions, so the EU is now seeking ways to adapt it.
