We were the generation reared on promises of progress. Dreams of peace and equality padded our pillows as we slept. We believed in the possibility of a world of harmony and prosperity for all. But those hopes have crumbled, perhaps as swiftly as bombs were dropped on Kyiv and Gaza or perhaps as gradually as the erosion of tolerance from former centres of democracy.
Amidst all this despair, the EU can be a beacon of hope and stability. Through its long-standing democratic institutions and practices, it has fostered relationships of cooperation and prioritised peace and safety above all.
Defence and Diplomacy in a Changing Europe
The EU has recently dedicated an €800 billion increase in European defence spending in what Ursula von der Leyen deemed “a watershed moment for Europe.” This heightened focus on defence spending and initiatives is sadly necessary against the current backdrop of conflict in Europe.
However, the EU must not forget the diplomatic steps it has taken and must continue to take to secure peace. It needs to advocate for peaceful solutions and not become consumed by defence ideology.
Ukraine’s accession to the EU is one of the most vital diplomatic steps. The country has been in the negotiation stage of accession since 21 June 2024. To fulfil opening benchmarks and recommendations, they have already created three roadmaps: the rule of law, public administration reform, and the functioning of democratic institutions.
As part of these roadmaps, Ukraine is assessing its judicial system, implementing anti-corruption and human rights protection measures, and amending electoral legislation to ensure a transparent electoral process. The first EU-Ukraine intergovernmental summit also recommended that Ukraine submit an action plan to protect the rights of national minorities, which is currently in progress with input from national minority NGOs.
EU leaders have also committed $54 billion until 2027 to aid Ukraine’s recovery. Part of this will support the reforms necessary for accession. However, this task is exponentially more challenging for a nation under active attack.
The Strategic Importance of Ukraine’s EU Membership
Accession to the EU is a lengthy process, but von der Leyen has recently said that if Ukraine keeps progressing at its current rate, she could see them entering the Union before 2030. Current Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has also stated that her team will do everything they can to bring Ukraine “home into our Union.”
EU membership is crucial for Ukraine because, once a member, they would benefit from the right of mutual assistance in case of military aggression under Article 42.7 of the EU treaty. This means that their EU membership would legally require other EU states to defend Ukraine in future conflicts. The prospect of this assistance may just serve as the deterrent necessary to stop Russian aggression.
There are arguments against Ukraine’s accession due to the immense cost of reconstruction. A 2023 report by the World Bank, the government of Ukraine, the United Nations, and the European Commission estimated that the cost of reconstruction in Ukraine had reached €383 billion. Despite these challenges, we in the EU cannot and must not stand idly by and watch a democracy fall. We must do everything possible to support and swiftly advance Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Education, Support, and the Next Generation
The EU has already done substantial work to support young Ukrainian students, and these efforts must continue. Since the beginning of the war, 33,000 Ukrainian students have received Erasmus+ support, and 1.5 million textbooks have been printed for displaced children. European universities have also launched Twinning Partnerships with Ukrainian institutions, enabling students to continue their studies abroad or online.
One medical student from Sumy, whose university was bombed, availed of a support programme in an Estonian university and described this as a “lifeline” for her future.
While significant progress is being made, more support for Ukrainian students within the EU is necessary. A 2024 report from the EU Commission highlighted that 700,000 Ukrainian children are in EU schools, yet this only accounts for half of all school-aged refugees. Many struggle with language barriers, and some try to follow both Ukrainian and EU school systems simultaneously, leading to burnout. This highlights why the EU cannot become consumed by defence strategies at the expense of humanitarian support.
The EU as a Key Advocate for Peace
The power of the EU as an advocate for peace must not be underestimated. As recent developments between the US and Russia threatened to exclude Ukraine from potential peace talks, the EU vocally supported the necessity of Ukraine’s presence in future negotiations.
Ukrainian resistance and strong statements of support from the EU have ensured that Ukraine remains a central player in securing its own safety and future.
In the face of Russian aggression and wavering US support, the EU must remain united and strong without abandoning the commitment to peace that is so central to its identity.
Ellen Clusker – News Editor
