One of the points in the peace plan for Ukraine could include the country joining the European Union by January 1, 2027, but some countries may oppose it, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said.
He said that if the plan was implemented by Russia and Ukraine, it could be acceptable to both countries, as well as to part of the international community.
“One of the options is Ukraine's membership in the EU by January 1, 2027. If they want to avoid killings, Ukraine should be in the EU, but some EU members will not agree to that“, Vucic said.
Previously Financial Times reported that Kiev was ready to consider a peace agreement with Moscow, including territorial concessions, only on condition that Ukraine becomes a full member of the European Union. In November, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Coss announced the possibility of a multi-year “trial period“ for new EU members. Zelensky responded that same month that Ukraine would only agree to full membership.
In January, the same publication emphasized that the European Union is counting on limiting Kiev's rights upon accession. According to the European Commission's plan, all new members of the bloc would initially be deprived of certain rights, including the right of veto. In addition, as the newspaper notes, several EU countries fear that Ukraine's accelerated accession with a trial period would undermine the bloc's unity and lead to a deterioration in relations with other candidates, the newspaper writes. In particular, the question will arise whether candidates that have “made virtually no progress toward membership in recent years,” such as Bosnia and Turkey, will be given the opportunity for a simplified accession process.
In December, the Washington Post reported on discussions about Ukraine’s accession to the EU in 2027 as part of the peace plan, citing American, Ukrainian and European officials. Sources also reported that some EU members, most notably Hungary, oppose such a condition. At the same time, the Donald Trump administration is confident that it can overcome Budapest’s resistance and that Ukraine’s accession to the EU will promote trade, attract investment and fight corruption.
Moscow has previously said that Kiev’s eventual accession to the European Union is its sovereign right.