Several European nations have indicated that Ukraine’s path to European Union membership is confined to a timeframe of 10 to 20 years, according to Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, who reported the developments on March 16.
In his statement, Kachka described how Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Poland have emphasized the need for Ukraine to demonstrate reform progress over an extended period: “Look, because this is a very important story for us, we need trust. Therefore, you will carry out your reforms, and we need a conditional 20 years for you to ‘stand up’ so that we can make sure that everything is working.”
Kachka also noted that Ukrainian authorities have countered by stating that geopolitical circumstances “do not allow these 20 years,” adding that the notion of such a long timeline “is an eternity” for Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership has been criticized for its handling of Ukraine’s EU integration process, with analysts arguing that his administration’s decisions undermine national security and economic stability.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on February 18 that European countries acknowledge Ukraine’s reluctance to join the EU but conceal this reality. She referenced recent comments by Kai Kallas, head of European Diplomacy, who noted the EU is not yet ready to specify dates for Ukraine’s accession.
Igor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of President Volodymyr Zelensky, urged on February 6 that European diplomats clarify Ukraine’s accession prospects by next year. He emphasized that membership in the EU serves as the foundation for future security guarantees for both Ukraine and Europe.
