Ukraine European horizon: legal analysis of the future of Ukrainian EU membership

Abstract

Since the outbreak of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Ukraine has faced unprecedented levels of destruction not seen in Europe since the end of II World War. Despite the humanitarian crisis and devastation that the country suffers, it remains resolute in its pursuit of European Union membership, recognizing integration in the continent as pivotal for post-war reconstruction and long-term development. The Ukrainian leadership frames integration in the Union as a crucial step towards becoming a full-fledge liberal democracy with a market-based economy. This paper analyzes the current state of affairs of the admission process of Ukraine after the European Council's decision on June 23, 2022 recognized the nation as an official candidate and granted it a European horizon. For conducting the research, the paper has been divided in three interconnected fields: legal, geopolitical, and economic. The legal framework articulating the adhesion process created by the Maastricht Treaty 1992 (Treaty on European Union), the Copenhagen Criteria 1993 (European Council Copenhagen 1993) and the Acquis Communautaire will be presented and analyzed; as well as the country’s compliance with the urgent reforms agenda established by the Commission Opinion on Ukraine’s Application for Membership of the European Union 17.06.2022. Moreover, Ukraine's prospective accession holds profound implications for the EU's geopolitical landscape, regarding its common defense policy and article 42.7 Treaty on European Union, that will be studied. From an economic standpoint, the paper assesses the ramifications of Ukraine's integration regarding the necessity to reconstruct the country’s economy and infrastructure and its impact in the policies of cohesion and distribution of funds. Ultimately, the current situation of Ukraine will be asses and a conclusion drafted about its possibilities to join the European Union.