Ukraine's EU Accession Would Strengthen Bloc's Economy, Says European Council President

Key Highlights

• European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized that Ukraine's EU integration would help address the bloc's competitiveness vulnerabilities.
• Costa expressed optimism about welcoming Ukraine as an EU member and revealed plans to open at least two clusters of Ukraine’s accession negotiations in 2025.

Ukraine’s EU Membership to Strengthen the Bloc’s Economy

European Council President Antonio Costa stated that Ukraine’s eventual membership in the European Union would positively impact the bloc's competitiveness. He highlighted the potential benefits in areas such as natural resources, energy, agriculture, new technologies, and defense.

Costa’s comments came during his visit to Kyiv on December 1, where he noted that Ukraine's contribution to the EU's competitiveness would be highly valuable.

Previously, Mario Draghi, former President of the Central Bank of Italy and former Prime Minister, introduced a report that stressed the need for significant investment to address the EU’s declining productivity and weak economic growth compared to the U.S. and China. Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, expressed that Ukraine could provide substantial added value to the EU, addressing these critical economic challenges.

Plans for Accession Negotiations

During his visit to Kyiv, Costa, alongside European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, affirmed the EU's commitment to Ukraine’s membership. At a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Costa emphasized that Ukraine is part of the European family and expressed eagerness for the country to join the EU.

He praised Ukraine’s progress, noting, "Ukrainians are writing a new playbook on how to undertake deep reforms while fighting a war for national survival." Costa also confirmed that the EU and Ukraine would collaborate to open at least two clusters of accession negotiations in the first half of 2025.

Costa reassured Ukraine of EU support, saying, "We will stand with you for as long as necessary and whatever it takes. We stand firmly on the side of your right to self-defense, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."

Ukraine applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, following Russia's invasion, and EU ministers agreed to initiate accession talks with Ukraine on June 25, 2024.