Natalie Tocci, former advisor to former EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and current top diplomat Josep Borrell, believes that the European Union should grant Ukraine candidate status for EU membership - otherwise the bloc would make a grave mistake, which would be a victory for Putin.
Tocci writes about this in his analysis concerning Ukraine and Moldova.
Tocci stresses that the European Council should recognize Ukraine and Moldova as candidates for EU membership at the end of June.
"To do so would be a strategic victory; not to do so would be a grave mistake. Finding fiction (such as potential candidate status) would mean the latter," says Tocci, an Italian political scientist and international relations expert.
She notes that granting Ukraine candidacy status is key in terms of symbolism, but symbolism itself is not enough. Ukraine should also be given concrete benefits in the short term, such as accession to the European Economic Area.
"Rejecting candidacy (or offering an empty alternative - potential candidate status) would be a symbolic fiasco for Ukraine and the EU, as well as a stunning symbolic victory for Putin.
Along with the recognition of full candidate status, it is equally important to accompany the accession process with concrete benefits in the short term. Here there is no need to reinvent the wheel through the notion of a European political and geopolitical community.
There are concrete formulas, such as the European Economic Area, which has proven to be a stepping stone to full EU membership. The war in Ukraine makes it possible to revive enlargement," says Natalie Tocci, adding that the process of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans should be revived through applications for membership from new countries.
Tocci says offering Ukraine a clear and concrete path to EU membership is imperative, not only to end the war, but also to ensure that it does not erupt again in the future.
As you know, the European Commission's conclusion on the EU membership applications of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova is expected next week. The June summit of the European Council will take place on June 23-24.
