The heads of state and government of the EU Member States are expected to discuss the situation in Ukraine, which is being invaded by Russia, and the application of Ukraine - but also Georgia and Moldova - to join the European Union on Thursday 10 March.
The leaders are expected to discuss the situation in Ukraine, including the humanitarian situation as fighting continues, and the influx of refugees into EU countries. More than 2 million Ukrainians are reported to have already left the country. Leaders should commit to continue to provide humanitarian and financial support to refugees and the countries hosting them (see EUROPE 12906/2).
Although the EU again adopted new restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus on Wednesday 9 March (see other news), leaders may discuss additional measures. Following the US and UK decisions to impose an embargo on Russian gas and oil, heads of state and government could call on the EU to do the same. However, some countries, such as Hungary, have already expressed their reluctance to do so. Russia accounts for 40% of the EU’s gas imports. The exclusion of Russian banks Gazprombank and Sberbank from Swift could also be discussed.
Discussion on EU membership
In addition to the priorities of pressuring Russia for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid to Ukrainians, EU leaders should also address Ukraine’s application for EU membership, as well as those of Georgia and Moldova. The Council of the EU invited the Commission to prepare opinions on these applications (see EUROPE 12905/10). The Council’s request came only a few days after the three countries’ request, whereas it usually takes several months.
However, while all Member States seem to be in favour of a rapprochement with the three countries, the question of membership is under debate.
According to an EU source, confirmed by a draft declaration dated 8 March, leaders should not refer to Article 49, which deals with accession, because for some delegations this is “going too far”. “On the subject of enlargement, which spontaneously is not a subject of great convergence [between Member States], the first need is to send a political signal on Ukraine’s membership of the European family”, said a French source. This is emphasised in the letter of invitation to the summit from the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
Before agreeing on EU membership, the leaders could discuss an even closer association with the three countries, which already enjoy extensive association agreements and deep and comprehensive free trade areas with the EU.
“The enlargement process is very long, but here we have an urgent need - once the war is over - to be able to bring these three countries as close as possible to the EU, in forms that we have to invent, to go faster than the accession process”, explained a French source, adding that it was necessary to send a political signal.
“Enlargement is a process that can take a long time, so the idea is also to strengthen ties with Ukraine”, for example with integration into the single market and the energy market, a senior official explained, adding that the Council and the European Commission were examining several possible scenarios.
The Member States are also divided between those who want the accession process to go quickly and those who have more reservations. “There is no such thing as a fast-track process”, said a French source, who further explained that the Western Balkans - which have been in the accession process for years - would not understand if there were a fast-track procedure. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)