Brussels is planning to admit Ukraine to the European Union as early as 2027, even before the country meets the required accession criteria, Századvég wrote on Wednesday, adding that three quarters of EU citizens reject the proposal, based on its latest research.
Századvég added that after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen repeatedly called for accelerating Ukraine’s EU integration, information emerged suggesting that the European Commission could admit the country by early 2027 through a simplified procedure.
According to the think tank, the new concept would break with the merit-based accession process applied for decades. Under the proposal, Ukraine could become an EU member with more limited decision-making powers before fulfilling accession conditions, potentially overtaking countries that have been waiting longer to join.
Századvég said that a majority of EU citizens in every member state oppose the Brussels initiative. Its latest Europe Project survey found that only 18 per cent of adults support Ukraine’s immediate admission, while 43 per cent favour sticking to the traditional merit-based process and 32 per cent reject Ukraine’s accession altogether.
Support for unconditional accession remains a minority view even in the most Ukraine-friendly Nordic countries, the study said, with 35 per cent of Swedes and 32 per cent of Finns backing the idea. At the other end of the scale, Hungary and Austria show the strongest opposition, where 93 per cent and 83 per cent of adults respectively reject immediate membership.
Beyond the risk of the armed conflict spreading, Századvég said Ukraine’s integration carries several economic and security concerns. Multinational companies operating in the country produce food on a large scale under less stringent quality standards, raising food safety concerns if EU market protection mechanisms are lifted and potentially placing EU farmers at a disadvantage.
According to the survey, 53 per cent of respondents are concerned about food safety, while 59 per cent fear negative consequences for EU farmers. The think tank also noted that historical experience shows wars and their aftermath can increase security risks in neighbouring countries due to population movements, a concern shared by 55 per cent of EU citizens.
In addition, 52 per cent of respondents worry that Ukraine’s accession would reduce the amount of EU development funding available to existing member states. Századvég concluded that Ukraine’s membership would require not only meeting accession criteria but also addressing the concerns of European citizens.
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