As Ukraine Fights, Does the E.U. Owe It Membership?
With Ukraine defending European values and security against Russia’s invasion, what obligation do the European Union and NATO have toward Ukraine?
The moral answer may be obvious, as governments vow support for Kyiv. But the practical answers are complicated, as ever, and are dividing Europe.
Defying expectations, the E.U. has acted with speed and authority, providing military aid and inflicting sanctions on Russia. But now it is confronting a more difficult question — how to bind vulnerable countries like Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to Europe in a way that helps them and does not create a further security risk down the road.
It is a question that will hang over a summit of E.U. leaders starting Monday.
Despite pressure to fast-track Ukraine, full membership for it or the other countries on Europe’s periphery in NATO or the E.U. is unlikely for many years. But European leaders have begun discussing ways to integrate them.
@nytimes