Breaking on Twitter: EU accepts Ukraine application

[Wicked Blue]

EU launches special procedure for Ukraine's accession
Trend News Agency
Europe
1 March 2022 17:16 (UTC+04:00)

The European Parliament has accepted Ukraine's application for membership in the European Union (EU), Trend reports referring to the Ukrainian media via the online broadcast of the parliament’s meeting.

According to the media, the MPs have launched a special procedure for the country’s accession.

At the beginning of the meeting, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke and called on Europe to accept Ukraine into the EU.

Zelenskyy reminded that on February 28 he officially signed an application for Ukraine's membership in the organization.

https://en.trend.az/world/europe/3562705.html



Visegrád 24
@visegrad24
BREAKING:

The European Parliament has accepted Ukraine's application to join the European Union.

A special admission procedure has begun.

It is a very important day in European history.
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8:09 AM · Mar 1, 2022·Twitter for iPhone
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[milestogo]

1. ...

[gademocrat7]

2. YES!

💙🇺🇦💙

[True Dough]

3. Can someone kindly explain to me whether this is meaningful, beyond symbolism?

Does this put the EU in a position to offer more support? I haven't seen anything stating what the benefits will be.

[panader0]

8. If nothing else, it'll make it easier for Ukrainians to cross into other EU nations like Poland, etc

[True Dough]

11. Makes sense. Immigration is more seemless

Thanks for that.

[Beachnutt]

4. What does it mean for

Ukraine to be a member of European Union ?

[texasfiddler]

7. The documentary Winter of Fire shows why.

I have to go to work and can't write a novel to explain.

[onetexan]

9. Here you go

https://op.europa.eu/webpub/com/eu-what-it-is/en/

[intrepidity]

5. Is "accepting an application" for membership

the same as approving the application?

[Celerity]

16. we are NOT granting Ukraine EU membership immediately, this OP title is very misleading

[Wicked Blue]

21. Thank you, I just changed it nt

[Celerity]

22. sorry if I came across as a bit harsh, I understand there is a lot of confusion

[Wicked Blue]

23. No, you are absolutely right

I should have changed it sooner. Fog of war.

[Celerity]

24. here is some further background

https://fortune.com/2022/03/01/ukraine-president-zelenskyy-urgent-eu-membership-nato-mutural-defense/

snip

Will the EU let in Ukraine?

Not likely, at least for a long while.

EU leaders have hailed Zelensky’s heroic defiance and sound open to the idea—on the surface. The presidents of eight EU countries in the Eastern Europe signed a letter on Monday night urging immediate talks on Ukraine’s membership. And on Sunday, EU President Ursula von der Leyen said in an interview, “Ukraine is one of us, and we want them in the EU… Over time, they belong to us.” But Ukraine does not have time. With Russia bombarding its cities, it needs quick action, from a bloc whose decision-making moves at a snail’s pace.

That is one reason the EU’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell dismissed any idea of fast-track membership for Ukraine, saying on Monday, “Membership is something that will take a lot of years. We have to provide an answer for the coming hours, not the coming years.” Despite the EU leaders’ gushing support, Zelenskyy could also struggle to win approval for Ukraine’s membership—which requires the agreement of all 27 nations (down from 28, since the U.K. exited last year)—when and if it comes up for a vote. Charles Michel, who heads the European Council of EU leaders, cautioned that there were “different opinions and sensitivities within the EU about enlargement.”

That is an understatement. “Accession,” as new membership is called, is one of the most bitterly divisive issues in Europe, and the EU’s unshakable unity against Vladimir Putin could fray badly once leaders start debating Ukraine joining. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is the current rotating head of the EU, has said he would vote against all new membership applications until the EU implements “deep reform to the way we function institutionally.” Those reforms, like accelerated decision-making and stronger human rights protections in some countries, have yet to occur.

For now, Ukraine has only an “association agreement” with the EU, giving it access to the single market. If and when its membership application is formally accepted, it faces lengthy scrutiny and structural reforms, as well as possible demands from individual countries. Greece, for example, fought for 15 years to have Macedonia change its name to North Macedonia, as a condition for it joining the EU. North Macedonia changed its name in 2020, but it is still waiting to join.

snip

[highplainsdem]

6. The EU accepted Ukraine's application. The vote on final acceptance will be later today.

[Celerity]

18. I am confused as to what you mean by 'final acceptance'

There will be no vote today at all in terms of making Ukraine a full EU member. They will likely be placed on a fast track status, and 'fast' is relative, especially with the EU.

[democratsruletheday]

10. awesome news!!!!

at time when we need some good news.

[Happy Hoosier]

12. Good. I wish them luck!!! NT

[SheltieLover]

13. NATO should do same!

[edhopper]

14. They can replace

Britain.

[onetexan]

15. Forbes: After Zelensky Signs Membership Application, Here's What Could Come Next

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/02/28/will-ukraine-join-the-eu-after-zelensky-signs-membership-application-heres-what-could-come-next/

All member states would have to approve Ukraine joining, which is something that might not happen, as European Council President Charles Michel told Euronews there are “different opinions and sensitivities within the EU” regarding Ukraine’s membership.

Leaders in Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic have pushed for the EU to create a “totally new track” that would allow Ukraine to swiftly join the EU, but EU leaders so far don’t seem to be on board—European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Euronews Saturday that “we want [Ukraine] in” the EU, but suggested the membership process would happen “over time.”

Joining the EU could immediately help Ukraine militarily, as EU members are bound by a mutual defense clause that requires other members to aid a country if it’s “the victim of armed aggression on its territory.”

Admission to the bloc would also benefit Ukraine economically and give them additional benefits, like Ukrainians having free movement throughout the bloc and being granted the variety of rights afforded to EU citizens.

Even the EU just moving forward with Ukraine’s application could be beneficial, former European leaders noted in an op-ed through the Atlantic Council, saying it would be “a bold, courageous and meaningful political statement” and send a message to Moscow.

[Happy Hoosier]

17. We need to stop "sending messages"

and start sending something a bit more solid. Messages are not going to work here.

[onetexan]

26. huh?

[Happy Hoosier]

28. They need ATGMs, MANPADS and Small arms.

All we can manage, and they need it yesterday.

[onetexan]

30. i just heard a replay of Ali Velshi that the EU is sending a VAST amount of weapons to Ukraine

in a historic first, in addition to shutting all EU airspace to Russian airlines. I know Sweden, a neutral country, has confirmed it's sending weapons along w Germany, and my understanding is besides the $ & military aid/support the US has already offered congress is in talks to send more.

[Wicked Blue]

20. Excellent information

Thank you

[Silent3]

19. Think maybe Britain will want back in now?

[OnDoutside]

25. I think you'll find that they might be blocked by some EU members !

[onetexan]

31. LOL Right???

Now Boris Johnson & his ilk w have to eat crow since the threat of peetering putin looms over Europe.

[OnDoutside]

32. To paraphrase Rick Wilson, they'll need to go through some things first.

For certain Spain will be waiting for them re Gibraltar. The sweet deal the UK had before will have a lot of changes, should they want to rejoin. Plus they would join as a fresh applicant. Because of their size, they won't lose entirely but there's no way they won't pay a price.

[lindysalsagal]

27. Europe has to face vlad with, or without Ukraine. Might as well use their help

Because without it, the old iron curtain moves closer. vlad must be opposed and deposed.

[muriel_volestrangler]

29. I'm not convinced this is accurate

The reporting comes from an Azerbaijani site, interpreting what it sees on Ukrainian media. You can find English-language media that has been reporting on the EU parliament meeting, and they haven't reported this. eg The Guardian:

4h ago
12:04
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has told the European parliament that the EU must prove it is with Ukraine.

Addressing the European parliament via videolink, Zelenskiy says:

Without you, Ukraine is going to be lonesome. We have proven our strengths. We are exactly the same as you.

So prove that you are with us. Prove that you will not let us go. Prove that you indeed are Europeans and that life will win over death, and light will win over darkness.
...
3h ago
12:48
The European Union will have to seriously look at Ukraine’s request for EU membership and respond to Kyiv’s “legitimate” request, the chairman of EU leaders, Charles Michel, has said.

Michel was speaking at the European parliament after Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, received a standing ovation for his powerful speech.

Michel told the European parliament:

It is going to be difficult, we know there are different views in Europe.

The council (of EU governments) will have to seriously look at the symbolic, political and legitimate request that has been made and make the appropriate choice in a determined and clear-headed manner.

Meanwhile, Hungary’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, said Hungary was supporting an initiative by eight European Union leaders to start membership talks with Ukraine.

In an open letter published yesterday, the presidents of three Baltic states, as well as Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Slovenia called on EU member states to immediately grant Ukraine EU candidate country status and open membership talks.

Speaking at an online news briefing on Tuesday, Szijjarto said:

Hungary backs this initiative and we urge Brussels to put the issue on the agenda.

Szijjarto expressed solidarity with Ukraine, its eastern neighbour and home to a large ethnic Hungarian community, adding that Hungary backed Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Hungarian people did not want this war, Hungarians want peace and we are doing all we can to ensure that peace is restored as soon as possible.
...
1h ago
14:32
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, gave a passionate speech in the European parliament in which she outlined the bloc’s commitment to stopping Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

She announced that for the first time ever, they are using the European budget “to purchase and deliver military equipment to a country that is under attack” in a €500m pledge and an additional €500m for humanitarian aid.

She said the EU would “never accept” the takeover of Ukraine and Putin’s actions had only served to make members more united.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/mar/01/ukraine-russia-latest-news-live-updates-war-vladimir-putin-kyiv-kharkiv-russian-invasion-update

That's all they got from the parliament.

This explains a bit more - there is a symbolic resolution, which is expected to pass some time today:

The European Parliament is set to officially throw its support behind making Ukraine an official candidate for membership of the European Union.

A motion published on Monday night with support of all the parliament's mainstream political groups urged the EU to push towards "granting EU candidate status to Ukraine".

The landmark symbolic motion will be voted on by MEPs on Tuesday as part of an emergency Brussels session of the parliament, focusing on the invasion of Ukraine. Its backing by all the main groups means it is certain to pass when it goes to the floor.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-join-eu-parliament-war-b2025174.html

As others have explained above, it's not up to the parliament, however, but to the governments of the member states (if it helps, think of it as passing an amendment to the US Constitution - it's done by the states, not by a majority in Congress). This is, as said, symbolic.