kyiv warns of ‘devastating consequences’ of disagreement in negotiations for its accession process

kyiv looks towards Brussels. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba fears a lack of consensus among the Twenty-Seven on the opening of negotiations for his country’s accession to the EU. “I cannot imagine, I do not even want to consider talking about the devastating consequences that would occur if the European Council [les 27] failed to make a decision, not only for Ukraine, but also for enlargement” of the EU, he declared on Monday December 11 in the Belgian capital.

“We have done our part. We expect the European Union to do its part”continued Dmytro Kuleba, three days before a crucial summit during which the leaders of the 27 must decide on the launch of accession negotiations. “You cannot go against the grain of history. Ukraine will become a member of the EU. The only question is whether someone will slow down the process – which will have a cost – or whether we will be able to move forward smooth”he added.

“No time to weaken our support for Ukraine”

“I hope that the unity of the European Union will not be broken, because now is not the time to weaken our support for Ukraine”, added the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, upon his arrival in Brussels for a meeting of EU foreign ministers. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also urged Europeans to unite on the military support for Ukraine, which “really requires a joint effort”.

The European Commission recommended in November the opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, as with Moldova, two countries which obtained EU candidate status in June 2022, a few months after the outbreak of war. The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, remains inflexible in his opposition to the opening of this process, as well as to the increase in aid to Ukraine.