Ukraine accepted as candidate to join the EU, what does this mean for the war?

Ukrainesent their candidacy to join the European Union (EU) less than a week after the country was invaded by Russia back in February according to SkyNews. The fact that Ukraine and two other countries were ‘fast-tracked’ to the front of membership has posed some questions.

Ukraine ‘fast-tracked’ to the front

One of the questions that have arisen with Ukraine receiving ‘candidate status’ is that other countries have been overlooked even though they have been waiting to pass the first stage for a number of years.

Indeed one country that has been reoccurring is Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosnia has been waiting for ‘candidate status’ for several years now. The Hungarian Prime Minister has argued whether or not Ukraine has shown it has made ‘more progress in its democratic institutions than countries in the western Balkans’, as reported by SkyNews.

What does this mean for the war in Ukraine?

The fact that the EU has accepted Ukraine’s candidacy doesn’t mean they are officially a part of the EU yet.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this day was ‘one of the most important decisions in Ukraine's history as an independent state.’ also adding it is the ‘biggest step towards strengthening Europe that could be taken right now’ in a statement.

Receiving ‘candidate status’ is the first step to becoming a member of the EU, the next step could possibly take years. This means that it isn’t a guarantee that the EU will now step in to help Ukraine on the war front.

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