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The European Commission with the recommendation of candidate status for Ukraine sends an important geopolitical signal. Kiev should take care of reforms, but the same goes for the EU, writes Barbara Wesel.
The European Commission has risen above itself, set aside doubts, even justified ones, and will open the door to Ukraine for later membership. In the current situation this is the only right thing, he acts politically, shows European responsibility and does not shy away from a clear position. Which means: we want Ukraine part of our community.
With the recommendation, Brussels sends a clear signal to Moscow, and an open message against Putin’s historic revisionism. The warlord deprives Ukraine of its right to exist as a state and wants to make it part of a vast empire. If the EU did not open the door, for the ruler in the Kremlin this would be a triumph according to the motto: Look, the west does not love you. And for this reason you are part of us.
Even more important signal is for Kiev
From a geopolitical point of view, with a view to the future of Europe, and a more or less rule-based world order, the EC could not have decided otherwise. It is to be hoped that the quarrels of some member states do not destroy the image of unity. Until the summit a week later, Austria has time to verify its priorities and set aside basic doubts about other memberships. Fear of other costs and effects at this point should be relegated to second place.
In this difficult situation, Ukraine and its citizens need any support. These include weapons, funds, humanitarian aid and political support. The invitation to the EU is the most important signal for the people who are fighting. In the Maidan fighting in the winter of 2013/2014 the demonstrators were covered with blue EU flags against the then pro-Russian government. The hope of entering Europe, even though it is a long way off, is the motivation for many of those who have been facing Putin’s destructive campaign for more than three months.
Even for President Zelensky this is an important signal from Brussels. He has promised many to his citizens, and they must endure much passing through the bloody and tearful path. At least he can offer that, the promise of a true European perspective. Everything else would have been a political catastrophe.
There is still time for internal reforms
The signals emanating from the Commission’s recommendation must first be taken seriously within the EU. In international comments praising Brussels’ decision, the necessary EU reforms are only mentioned sparingly. But this is where the problem lies in the long-delayed reform process. The EU is not able to accept Ukraine as it is now shaped. Many decision-making processes are stalled, so the concept of unanimous decision-making on endless issues must finally be removed. This is urgent, because right now a directive on a minimum corporate tax failed, this time because of the Hungarian claim.
Emmanuel Macron as a reformer?
Regardless of the fact that the blocker, anti-democrat and friend of Putin, Viktor Orban had to be deprived of the right to vote and move to the reserve bench, the government in Poland also has to think, who and what it will be: Blackmailing in the councils EU ministers or fighters in support of Ukraine and its subsequent membership.
One of the well-known figures in the EU must now take over the belated reform process. Unfortunately Berlin at this point seems to have been greeted, only the French president remains. If Emmanuel Macron is not to fight in domestic politics, he may devote part of his commitment to Europe’s internal reform. He knows better than anyone: Europe can not remain as it is, if there is a future, for a few years even with Ukraine./DW
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