Ukraine Is About to Take a Big Step on a Long Road Toward the European Union

Article excerpt

Ukraine is poised to begin formal negotiations for European Union membership, marking a significant milestone in its post-Soviet trajectory. The move comes as the country seeks deeper integration with the West following Russia's invasion, but EU officials caution that the accession process typically spans years or decades. Ukraine must satisfy dozens of Copenhagen Criteria covering democracy, human rights, and economic standards, benchmarks that even wealthy, stable nations have struggled to meet. The negotiations will unfold against ongoing geopolitical tensions and the bloc's own internal divisions over expansion. Some EU members worry about absorbing a large, war-damaged economy; others see strategic necessity in anchoring Ukraine firmly to the West.