In the EU, few believe Ukraine will become a member by the end of the decade, if ever

One European diplomat has said that EU officials should stop giving Kyiv false hopes about membership in the European Union.

He made the statement to the outlet Rapporteur (formerly Euractiv).

“No serious person believes that Ukraine will become an EU member by the end of the decade, if ever. And we should stop giving Kyiv false hopes,” the diplomat said.

In his view, it would be better to help Ukraine through other means — via NATO mechanisms and by providing military support.

In addition, the European Union acknowledges the possibility that Moldova could join the bloc before Ukraine. Regarding the latter, sources cited by the outlet say “the mood is shifting” within the bloc. The diplomats surveyed consider the separation of Moldova’s accession process from Ukraine’s a matter of not “if” but “when.” One of Rapporteur’s interlocutors stated that it would be unfair to delay Moldova’s accession if Ukraine, for whatever reason, is unable to advance in the negotiations.

A similar position was expressed shortly before by the Albanian prime minister, who called the promises made to Ukraine about EU accession through the standard procedure a lie.

Against this backdrop, EU ambassadors have agreed to send letters signaling the opening of the second and third clusters of accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova with the EU.