Get you up to speed: Majority of MEPs Support Fast-Track EU Membership for Ukraine This Week
European Parliament DEBATE
Majority of MEPs advocate for Ukraine’s fast-track EU membership, emphasising its significance for both support to Ukrainians and defiance against Kremlin actions.
EU RESPONSE
According to Aurelijus Veryga, MEP, an ambitious target for Ukraine’s EU accession should be set for 2030 to accelerate progress.
UKRAINE EU MEMBERSHIP
MEPs are advocating for a clear accession timeline for Ukraine, with ambitions set for membership by 2030 as a show of solidarity.
What we know so far
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Should Ukraine be given fast-track membership into the European Union?
The majority of MEPs seem to think so. Although they may not see eye to eye on how or when this should occur, most MEPs believe that Ukrainian EU membership would send a strong message of support to Ukrainians and one of defiance to the Kremlin.
To mark four years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, this week on The Ring, we are joined by two Lithuanian MEPs: Aurelijus Veryga from the ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) group and Petras Auštrevičius from the liberal Renew Europe group.
Although from opposing political families, one conservative and the other liberal, both agree that Ukraine belongs inside the European Union. This edition asks the big question: Is enlargement a test of solidarity, a measure of Europe’s strategic power, or both?
When asked about setting a clear accession date, Veryga argues that the target should be ambitious and aims for 2030: “If we say 2027, technically, it won’t happen before 2030, but it adjusts our attempts to speed up.”
For Petras Auštrevičius, “we have pronounced many good promises towards Ukraine. We said Ukraine is a part of Europe. Now we have to deliver. Let’s start moving, the sooner the better.”
This episode of The Ring is anchored by Méabh Mc Mahon, produced by Luis Albertos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos.
Watch The Ring on EU News TV or in the player above and send us your views by writing to thering@euronews.com