“New Europe” at the Public Discussion of the National Interests Advocacy Network “ANTS”

The EU’s Scrutinizing Eye

To what extent does Ukraine’s legislation comply with European requirements? What steps are needed to ensure the fastest and most effective adaptation? And is accelerated EU membership a realistic prospect?

These and other questions were addressed during the public discussion “From Independence to the EU: Are Ukrainian Laws Ready for European Standards?” organized by the National Interests Advocacy Network “ANTS” on the eve of Independence Day. Sergiy Solodkyy, Director of the New Europe Center, joined the debate.

In his remarks, he emphasized the strong level of support for Ukraine’s European integration course within the European Union, with only a few isolated “spoilers” occasionally blocking the enlargement process.

According to the analyst, there is a critical mass of politicians, diplomats, and experts in the EU who view enlargement as a geopolitical project designed to enhance the security of the entire continent. Therefore, 2030 is being seriously considered as a political horizon for the next wave of enlargement.

However, as Sergiy Solodkyy noted, the EU’s interest in a rapid enlargement does not mean that Brussels or the capitals of member states will turn a blind eye to reform gaps in candidate countries.

“Following the recent situation with anti-corruption institutions, Ukraine is entering a phase of increased scrutiny and attention from the EU. We must be prepared for the possibility that upcoming assessments of our integration progress in EU reports may be more modest. This year, much effort has gone into preparatory processes—screening, shaping negotiating positions—all aimed at opening thematic clusters. Yet the absence of a formal decision to launch them should not lead to discouragement; on the contrary, it should motivate us to implement the necessary reforms ahead of time. Such an approach will accelerate the accession process, strengthen trust in Ukraine, and provide stronger arguments in negotiations on bringing membership closer”, emphasized the Director of the New Europe Center.

We extend our gratitude to the National Interests Advocacy Network “ANTS” and personally to Hanna Hopko, Chair of the ANTS Supervisory Board, for the invitation and for organizing the discussion.

The full discussion is available in the video below.