Ukraine accession

Juncker warns against “importing” problems into the EU

Former EU Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker considers the acceptance of Ukraine's application for membership to be absolutely right, but the Luxembourger is nevertheless skeptical about the accession talks. Because: "Everyone involved must know that there are preconditions that have to be met so that we do not import unresolved internal problems into the EU."

If differentiated membership makes the prospect of accession easier, he is not against it in principle. A gradual rapprochement, a kind of almost-membership for Ukraine, would probably be worth considering. "In any case, it would be more realistic than full membership in the next three to five years," Juncker ventures a look into the immediate future in an interview with the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung".

As reported, the EU decided in mid-December to begin accession negotiations with the government in Kiev. However, it is likely to be many years before Ukraine actually joins the association of states - not least because of the defense war against Russia. Juncker had said in an interview prior to the EU decision that the country was still far from being ready for accession due to "corruption at all levels of society".

Juncker: "I am allergic to quick fixes"
As early as 1997, Ukraine had tried to submit an application for membership to him, but he had not accepted it, Juncker continued. Even then, this seemed to him to be completely premature. "We actually knew nothing about Ukraine. I was already allergic to snap decisions back then and I still am now." However, he is of the opinion that there must be an accession perspective for Ukraine today. "However, I am against making promises that cannot be fulfilled within the timeframe Ukraine is aiming for. This would ultimately lead to the country turning away from the EU again in disappointment," warns the 69-year-old.