A day after pledging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy their unwavering support, the European Union on Friday came face to face with one of its worst political headaches on a key commitment — how and when to welcome destitute and battered Ukraine into the bloc.
And immediately, a rift became evident: between those who want to draw Kyiv and other aspiring nations in as quickly as possible, and others that want the bloc to bide its time, setting up difficult talks on an issue that requires unanimity among the 27 member states.
Most EU nations have said since the February 2022 start of the war that they would work steadfastly on a “lasting unity” with Ukraine that would eventually translate into Kyiv’s membership in the wealthy bloc. Now, Hungarian President Viktor Orbán, ever the recalcitrant voice at summits, insisted the whole idea would have to be rethought from scratch.
“We have never done an enlargement to the country which is in a war. And we don’t know where are the effective borders, how many people are living there,” Orbán said as he arrived at the EU summit in Granada. “Sorry, it’s painful to get these countries in the EU.”
There was a German French funded recommendation that would have a 4 tier system released a week or so ago. It goes from the first community of euro currency nations out to non euro, those willing to adapt their laws to trade with the EU and outside EU.
It would allow for the increase in membership without making new nations equals right away, and instead of nations struggling to meet qualifications they can gradually work toward them with supports and the opportunities afforded to them from being affiliated.
It also comes with a package of new rules and processes that would prevent single member nations blocking progress or teaming up with another to prevent an action. It tackles the issues that Hungary has brought to a head.
That actually makes sense. Didn’t know there was an effort to implement that.