As Ukraine, and Europe as a whole, face one of the biggest security threats of this century through the Russian invasion, long-discussed questions regarding Ukraine’s connection to Europe have returned to the forefront of debate. Namely, the questions of whether Ukraine should be admitted into NATO and the European Union have been circling across Europe and the globe.
The current Russian war against Ukraine is the latest example of Russian aggression that has united Europeans in support of Ukraine but divided many on what support to offer. The primary topic of dissension is a potential Ukrainian NATO membership. In conjunction with the question of Ukrainian NATO membership, discussions regarding Ukraine’s application for European Union membership are ongoing. Ukraine formally applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, and asked for immediate acceptance, a normally years-long process. Though Ukraine has taken many legal and economic steps to prepare for EU membership, many in Europe argue the country has further to go before it meets the criteria for membership.
Most European governments support eventual Ukrainian NATO membership, but should the process wait until after the war? Would beginning the application process provoke further Russian aggression? Is a fast-tracked NATO membership instead an opportunity for Europe to end the war faster, clarify its position regarding Ukraine, and access important Ukrainian resources in the future? We have already seen the long-term negotiations associated with Turkey’s accession into the EU. Will Ukraine face the same delays? There are many Balkan countries on the EU’s “waiting list”. Is it fair to combine them and their interest due to the current implications of the war? Accession into the EU consists of concession and compromise. With respect to Ukraine and the current situation of the war, can Ukraine be said to consist of the same principles that are required of the EU?
PROGRAM
19:00 – 19:15 WELCOME & KEYNOTE SPEECH
- Věra Jourová, Vice-President, European Commission
- Lucie Čadilová, Director, Delegation of Prague to the EU
19:15 – 20:00 Integration of Ukraine into the EU
Speakers:
- Věra Jourová, Vice-President, European Commission
- Jacques Rupnik, Political Scientist and Historian, Sciences Po
- Corina Stratulat, Head of European Politics and Institutions Programme, European Policy Centre
- Rebecca Christie, Non-resident Fellow, Bruegel
Moderator: Jan Macháček, Chairman of the Board, Institute for Politics and Society
20:00 – 20:45 Integration of Ukraine into NATO
Speakers:
- Jakub Landovský, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to NATO
- Petr Luňák, Deputy Head, NATO Public Diplomacy Division
Moderator: Jan Macháček, Chairman of the Board, Institute for Politics and Society
This event will be held in English without the provision of interpreting services.
Our discussion will be held on May 10, 2023, from 19:00 to 21:00 at the Prague House, Avenue Palmerston 16, Brussels, Belgium.
