Is Ukraine in Europe?
Yes, Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest country in Europe by land area, after Russia. To the west, Ukraine shares borders with Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, and it has a long coastline along the Black Sea to the south. Belarus is situated to the north, and Russia lies to the northeast and east. The capital and largest city of Ukraine is Kyiv.
Is Ukraine in the EU?
Ukraine is not a member of the European Union (EU). However, Ukraine has expressed aspirations to strengthen its ties with the EU and has pursued an association agreement with the EU, which includes provisions for political association and economic integration.
Ukraine and EU: history
Ukraine's relationship with the European Union (EU) has been characterized by a complex and evolving history. Dating back to 1993, when the Ukrainian government declared integration with the EU as its main foreign policy objective, the country has expressed a strong desire for closer ties. However, challenges such as its significant economic dependence on Russia and internal political instability, particularly following the Orange Revolution in the mid-2000s, have influenced the dynamics.
The Orange Revolution in 2004 improved Ukraine's European prospects, with President Viktor Yushchenko expressing a desire for deeper ties and even hinting at full EU membership. Subsequent negotiations, association agreements, and talks on a free trade area demonstrated a growing engagement between Ukraine and the EU. However, challenges, including concerns about the rule of law, democracy, and economic reforms, persisted.
The turning point came in 2013 when President Yanukovych suspended the signing of the Association Agreement, leading to widespread protests known as Euromaidan. Yanukovych's ouster in 2014 marked a new chapter, and Ukraine signed the political part of the Association Agreement. By 2016, the agreement had been ratified by Ukraine and most EU member states, overcoming hurdles such as the Dutch referendum.
Despite ongoing challenges, the EU and Ukraine continue their collaboration, with the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area entering into force in 2016 and ongoing efforts to strengthen ties. As of the latest developments in May 2022, the EU proposed dropping tariffs on Ukrainian imports to support the country amid Russian aggression, highlighting the ongoing cooperation and support for Ukraine's European future. In May 2022, the Government of Ukraine launched a campaign to obtain the status of a candidate for EU membership, reflecting the country's aspirations and the ongoing significance of its relationship with the European Union.
The Orange Revolution in 2004 improved Ukraine's European prospects, with President Viktor Yushchenko expressing a desire for deeper ties and even hinting at full EU membership. Subsequent negotiations, association agreements, and talks on a free trade area demonstrated a growing engagement between Ukraine and the EU. However, challenges, including concerns about the rule of law, democracy, and economic reforms, persisted.
The turning point came in 2013 when President Yanukovych suspended the signing of the Association Agreement, leading to widespread protests known as Euromaidan. Yanukovych's ouster in 2014 marked a new chapter, and Ukraine signed the political part of the Association Agreement. By 2016, the agreement had been ratified by Ukraine and most EU member states, overcoming hurdles such as the Dutch referendum.
Despite ongoing challenges, the EU and Ukraine continue their collaboration, with the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area entering into force in 2016 and ongoing efforts to strengthen ties. As of the latest developments in May 2022, the EU proposed dropping tariffs on Ukrainian imports to support the country amid Russian aggression, highlighting the ongoing cooperation and support for Ukraine's European future. In May 2022, the Government of Ukraine launched a campaign to obtain the status of a candidate for EU membership, reflecting the country's aspirations and the ongoing significance of its relationship with the European Union.
What is Ukraine's relationship with the EU?
The European Union (EU) and its member states have consistently demonstrated steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's military aggression. In a significant development in December 2023, EU leaders decided to initiate accession negotiations with Ukraine, marking a pivotal step toward further integration. This decision followed the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine during the European Council in June 2022.
The accession negotiations are a culmination of a series of events and measures aimed at strengthening ties between Ukraine and the EU. The association agreement, a key instrument for fostering closer political and economic relations, entered into force on September 1, 2017. The deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA) within the agreement has played a crucial role in modernizing Ukraine's economy and trade relations.
To address Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, the EU has implemented a range of sanctions designed to weaken Russia's economic foundations, limit its access to critical technologies and markets, and curtail its capacity for waging war. The EU has consistently stood by Ukraine, offering support in various forms, including the reception of refugees, humanitarian aid, civil protection support, macro-financial assistance, and trade liberalization measures.
The visa dialogue between the EU and Ukraine has facilitated travel, with visa facilitation and readmission agreements entering into force in 2008. In 2017, the Council adopted a regulation enabling visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens to the Schengen area for a 90-day period within any 180-day period.
High-level EU-Ukraine summits have provided platforms for leaders to review achievements, discuss implementation of the association agreement, and address pressing issues such as the joint response to COVID-19, Ukraine's reform efforts, and foreign and security policy. The 24th EU-Ukraine summit in February 2023, the first since Ukraine attained candidate status, focused on Ukraine's European path, the EU's response to Russia's aggression, initiatives for peace and accountability, cooperation in reconstruction and relief efforts, and global food security.
In terms of energy collaboration, the successful synchronization of Ukraine and Moldova's electricity grids with the Continental European Grid in March 2022, along with the commencement of electricity trading in June of the same year, underscores the commitment to regional energy infrastructure and resilience.
The accession negotiations are a culmination of a series of events and measures aimed at strengthening ties between Ukraine and the EU. The association agreement, a key instrument for fostering closer political and economic relations, entered into force on September 1, 2017. The deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA) within the agreement has played a crucial role in modernizing Ukraine's economy and trade relations.
To address Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, the EU has implemented a range of sanctions designed to weaken Russia's economic foundations, limit its access to critical technologies and markets, and curtail its capacity for waging war. The EU has consistently stood by Ukraine, offering support in various forms, including the reception of refugees, humanitarian aid, civil protection support, macro-financial assistance, and trade liberalization measures.
The visa dialogue between the EU and Ukraine has facilitated travel, with visa facilitation and readmission agreements entering into force in 2008. In 2017, the Council adopted a regulation enabling visa-free travel for Ukrainian citizens to the Schengen area for a 90-day period within any 180-day period.
High-level EU-Ukraine summits have provided platforms for leaders to review achievements, discuss implementation of the association agreement, and address pressing issues such as the joint response to COVID-19, Ukraine's reform efforts, and foreign and security policy. The 24th EU-Ukraine summit in February 2023, the first since Ukraine attained candidate status, focused on Ukraine's European path, the EU's response to Russia's aggression, initiatives for peace and accountability, cooperation in reconstruction and relief efforts, and global food security.
In terms of energy collaboration, the successful synchronization of Ukraine and Moldova's electricity grids with the Continental European Grid in March 2022, along with the commencement of electricity trading in June of the same year, underscores the commitment to regional energy infrastructure and resilience.
What are the EU rules for Ukraine?
Requirements of the EU for Ukraine:
- Adopt legislation outlining the procedure for the selection of judges for the Constitutional Court, including a pre-selection process based on the assessment of integrity and professional skills.
- Conclude integrity checks for candidates for the High Council of Justice and select candidates for the High Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine.
- Strengthen the fight against corruption, particularly among high-ranking officials.
- Complete the selection process and appoint a new director for the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and a prosecutor for the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP).
- Ensure compliance of anti-money laundering legislation with the standards of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
- Adopt a comprehensive strategic plan for reforming the law enforcement sector.
- Enact a law addressing the issue of oligarchs.
- Align media legislation with European audiovisual standards.
- Conclude legislative reforms for the rights of national minorities.
Is Ukraine considered European?
From a geopolitical and geographical standpoint, Ukraine is situated in Europe, making it part of the continent known as Europe. Geographically, it is located in Eastern Europe and is one of the largest countries on the continent.
Politically and culturally, Ukraine expresses its desired identification as a European country. Particularly, after the events of the Euromaidan protests in 2013-2014 and the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union in 2014, Ukraine reaffirms its course towards Eurointegration and support for European values.
On the other hand, certain issues related to EU membership and other aspects of association remain subjects of discussion with various perspectives in Ukraine and among European partners.
Politically and culturally, Ukraine expresses its desired identification as a European country. Particularly, after the events of the Euromaidan protests in 2013-2014 and the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union in 2014, Ukraine reaffirms its course towards Eurointegration and support for European values.
On the other hand, certain issues related to EU membership and other aspects of association remain subjects of discussion with various perspectives in Ukraine and among European partners.
