The European Union is gearing up to open negotiations with Ukraine on its future accession to the bloc with a formal announcement expected as soon as December.
According to three diplomats with knowledge of the plans, leaders are preparing to give Kyiv the green light to begin formal talks on joining the 27-country bloc before the end of the year.
Ukraine is at the heart of a major new push to expand the EU to as many as 35 countries. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual address to Parliament last month that Ukraine’s future was “in the Union.”
EU countries granted Kyiv status as a candidate for EU membership in June, and the Commission is due to issue a “progress report” on how well Ukraine and other aspiring members are meeting the bloc’s conditions for joining in November, according to an EU official who spoke to journalists on Tuesday.
It’s not going to be easy at all, but it is going to be an easier financial struggle if Ukraine is part of EU, both for Ukraine, EU and even for future Russia. Reuilding will be cheaper and the bill can be footed up front.
Point is that it’s going to be an ongoing balance account rather than a direct loss account. EU doesn’t have to wait for Russia to repay Ukraine, as long as there’s an expectation that “most” of the money will be there.
EU don’t want Russians to be kept in poverty for decades due to war crimes of previous generations, so eventually EU will accept some financial losses and write off the balance to keep Russians from becoming refugees in Europe. Things don’t always cost what is charged, so there’s a lot of levee to negotiate in decades to come, while still making money and keeping everyone afloat. Contractors who do this kind of work know how to ask for prepayment and do price gouging, so they’ll be fine getting paid less than the suggested price.
I’m optimistic that things will work out, but it would be even easier if only Russia would accept the inevitable and cut the losses for everyone.