EU to Grant Ukraine Access to Single Market in Peace Agreement
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is willing to go to extreme lengths to give Ukraine privileged access to the EU Single Market in a final peace deal. This move could provide a much-needed economic boost to Ukraine, which is currently recovering from the effects of war.
With access to a market of 449 million consumers, the plan would involve Brussels selecting which sectors to open up to Kyiv and which to keep closed. A key aspect of the plan is Ukraine’s thriving defence industry, which supplies a significant portion of weapons to its army.
The proposal includes tariff-free access to Ukrainian arms, which would not only benefit Kyiv financially but also enhance the arsenals of EU countries.
EU leaders recently approved a plan to unlock €800 billion in defence investment, indicating their support for the proposal. This move could pave the way for Ukraine’s eventual integration into the EU.
While some may express concerns about cherry-picking benefits for Ukraine, EU officials have emphasized that decisions regarding Ukraine’s membership will be merit-based. Joining the EU is a rigorous process that requires candidate countries to adhere to European laws and undergo significant reforms.
Although it remains uncertain when Ukraine could potentially join the EU, Brussels is committed to providing Kyiv with as many benefits of membership as possible within legal constraints. However, this approach may raise concerns among other candidate countries, particularly in the Western Balkans, who have not received the same level of support.
