Dutch PM Says Kyiv Still Has Long Way To Be an EU Candidate as Many Bloc Members Disagree

Dutch PM Says Kyiv Still Has Long Way To Be an EU Candidate as Many Bloc Members Disagree
Dutch PM Mark Rutte said Kyiv could not immediately become a part of the EU as Ukraine cannot jump over other Balkan countries in queues for admittance. Alberto Pezzali - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Dutch PM Mark Rutte explained that Kyiv and its chances for EU membership are almost nil due to several factors. One condition for joining the bloc is that there are no objections, and the immediate membership demanded by Volodymyr Zelensky is impossible.

No Immediate Membership for Ukraine

Rutte stated reasons why Ukraine cannot be an EU member even after a long time, reported RT News.

One serious implication is that they don't want to grant Ukraine instant membership. Including those other countries in the Western Balkans who are not asking for instant membership like the Ukrainian leader, others are willing to wait to be admitted as a prospective candidate, cited Euractiv.

He spoke in parliament last Monday; remarked that Ukraine might have a shot to get a slight chance at candidate status. However, several steps and reforms are needed to become a viable contender for membership, which is the same procedure Bosnia will undergo.

The PM said a move would ensure that the Ukrainian authorities are not discouraged, though he said the state is not at that stage to receive a candidate membership as Moldova has.

However, it was emphasized that countries on the European continent have the right to join the EU in the end if they meet the requirements, noted Press United.

Opposition in the Dutch Parliament

According to the Dutch PM, several Dutch parties in the lower house of parliament have previously insisted that Kyiv be accepted as a candidate member via fast track.

The coalition party and two opposition parties want the fast track, but Rutte's ruling VVD party is hesitant to grant such a status.

For the record, Zelensky was given false hope by other Bloc leaders who weren't objective and too emotional to welcome Ukraine to the bloc, not based on legalities, making the Ukraine leader think his nation would be accepted immediately.

Another EU member echoes Rutte's views on Sunday, France's European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune said that Ukraine's affiliation in the bloc would take decades.

Furthermore, if Ukraine joins the EU in only six months, one year, or two years then it's a big lie. It would take 15 to 20 years which is a very long time, remarked Beaune on Paris-based Radio J.

However, Ukraine should continue to be part of EU politics, and a membership alternative must be established for the country, reiterating a point raised by French President Emmanuel Macron previously this year.

On May 9, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the European Parliament, recommending the creation of a European political community for Ukraine and non-bloc countries.

Allowing democratic European nations to have a space in the EU for political cooperation, security, energy cooperation, transportation cooperation, investment, infrastructure, and people movement.

Zelensky demanded full membership and rejected a substitute for it; the Ukrainian leader was pushy to EU leaders charging the bloc's slow acceptance because of pressure from Moscow.

He added that compromises were unacceptable between his country and the bloc, saying another compromise would follow between Europe and the Russian Federation. Ukraine got the losing hand by believing promises by the west and getting shattered by leaving neutrality.

Dutch PM Rutte stressed Kyiv has a long way to go, and the behavior of Zelensky does not help his country get close to that goal.

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Kiev, Ukraine
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