Ukraine is a country located in eastern Europe with a population of about 44 million people, making it the second largest country in Europe. Ukraine's history and culture are deeply connected to Europe, but they are also influenced and pressured by the former Soviet Union. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine has been trying to draw closer to Western countries and even wants to be a part of them. For Ukraine, the most central goal of diplomacy is to join NATO and the European Union. In February 2019, Ukraine also enshrined this goal in its constitution. In June 2022, Ukraine received official candidate status for the European Union, which is the first step towards joining the European Union. Why, then, is Ukraine so eager to join the EU?What are the benefits of joining the EU for Ukraine?
On the political front, Ukraine's main motivation for joining the EU is to achieve national sovereignty and democratic guarantees. Ukraine's political system has always been subject to Russian interference and threats, especially after the Crimean crisis and the war in Donbass in 2014, Ukraine's territorial integrity and *** have been seriously challenged. Ukraine believes that joining the EU can obtain the political support and protection of the EU, enhance Ukraine's international status and discourse, and resist Russia's aggression and intervention. At the same time, joining the EU also means that Ukraine must carry out a series of political reforms to meet EU standards and requirements, including strengthening the rule of law, improving human rights, reducing the power of oligarchs, and fighting corruption. These reforms have contributed to the establishment of a more stable, transparent and democratic political system in Ukraine and to the modernization and Europeanization of Ukraine's politics.
On the economic front, Ukraine's main motivation for joining the EU is to achieve economic development and prosperity. Ukraine is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with a GDP per capita of only about $3,800, one-ninth of the EU average. Ukraine's economy has a homogeneous structure, is largely dependent on agriculture and heavy industry, and lacks innovation and competitiveness. Ukraine believes that joining the EU can bring economic benefits, including the following aspects: first, there are no tariffs between EU countries, and after Ukraine joins the EU, it can enjoy preferential tariffs, which will broaden the domestic commodity market and greatly promote import and export**;Second, the EU is a customs union that jointly sets a foreign policy, and after joining the EU, Ukraine's position in the international community will be greatly improved.
Third, the EU has a unified monetary policy, and if Ukraine joins the EU, it has the opportunity to switch to the euro as legal tender, which will be a major positive for economic development, reduce exchange rate risks, improve financial stability, and attract foreign investment;Fourth, the EU has a common fiscal policy, and after joining the EU, Ukraine will have easier access to loans and aid from the EU, which can be more and the interest can be lower, which plays an important role in alleviating Ukraine's debt crisis and financial difficultiesFifth, the EU has common market rules and standards, and after joining the EU, Ukraine will deeply integrate the EU's industrial chain, drive the industrial upgrading of its own enterprises, and create more jobs and fiscal revenue.
On the social front, the main motivation for Ukraine's accession to the EU is to achieve social harmony and progress. Ukraine's social problems are very serious, including an aging population, brain drain, backward education and medical care, ethnicity and religion. Ukraine believes that joining the EU can bring social benefits, including the following aspects: First, the EU has a common social policy, after joining the EU, Ukraine will enjoy the EU's social benefits and security, and improve the people's living standards and happiness;Second, the EU has a common education policy, and after joining the EU, Ukraine will participate in the EU's educational cooperation and exchanges, improve the quality and level of education, and train more talents and experts;Thirdly, the EU has a common cultural policy, and after joining the EU, Ukraine will strengthen cultural exchanges and interaction with EU countries, promote cultural diversity and inclusiveness, and enhance national identity and unity;Fourth, the EU has a common immigration policy, after joining the EU, Ukraine will enjoy the free movement of the EU, citizens can live and work freely in EU countries, no matter which country you go to, as soon as your passport shines, not only no one dares to discriminate against you, but also looks down on you.
In terms of security, the main motivation for Ukraine's accession to the EU is to achieve security guarantees and enhancements. The security situation in Ukraine is dire, facing not only military threats and pressure from Russia, but also terrorism and crime. Ukraine believes that joining the EU can bring security benefits, including the following aspects: First, the EU has a common foreign policy, and after joining the EU, Ukraine will receive diplomatic support and coordination from the EU to enhance Ukraine's national defense and security.
To sum up, Ukraine's motives and interests for joining the EU are multifaceted and involve political, economic, social and security fields. Ukraine believes that joining the European Union can help it achieve national sovereignty, development, harmony and security, enhance its status and influence in Europe and the world, and realize its European dream. However, Ukraine's accession to the EU also faces many difficulties and challenges, including the following aspects: First, Russia's opposition and obstruction, Russia regards Ukraine as its traditional sphere of influence and strategic buffer zone, and does not want to see Ukraine break away from its control and join the EU camp, therefore, Russia will use various means, including military, political, economic and propaganda, to undermine Ukraine's EU process, and may even trigger greater crises and conflicts.
Second, the EU's hesitation and reservations, although the EU has expressed support and welcome for Ukraine, it also has a lot of concerns and concerns, including Ukraine's political stability, economic development level, social integration, security risk tolerance, etc., therefore, the EU's candidate status for Ukraine does not mean that Ukraine will definitely be able to join the EU, and the EU will also put forward many conditions and requirements for Ukraine, and may even delay or shelv Ukraine's EU process;Third, Ukraine's own predicament and challenges, although Ukraine has a strong will of the EU, but also has a lot of internal problems and obstacles, including Ukraine's political differences, economic difficulties, social difficulties, security crises, etc., these problems not only affect Ukraine's EU process, but also affect Ukraine's national construction and national unity, therefore, Ukraine needs to join the EU at the same time, but also to solve its own problems, to achieve its own reform and development.
In conclusion, Ukraine's accession to the EU is a complex and difficult process that requires the joint efforts and consultations of Ukraine, the EU and Russia. Ukraine's accession to the EU has a bearing not only on Ukraine's national interests and national destiny, but also on peace and stability in Europe and on the order and pattern of the world. We hope that Ukraine will be able to realize its dream of the European Union, that Europe will be able to achieve its goal of integration, and that the world will be able to realize its vision of peace and cooperation.