PROSPECTS OF UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION UNDER MARTIAL STATE

Abstract

In the current geopolitical context, the issue of Ukraine’s European integration has become particularly relevant. The full-scale military invasion has not only altered the security landscape in Europe but also accelerated Ukraine’s foreign policy reorientation. Against this backdrop, accession to the European Union is viewed as a strategic goal capable of ensuring political stability, economic growth, and the strengthening of democratic institutions in the country. At the same time, the process of European integration is accompanied by a number of complex challenges caused by both internal and external factors. The article is devoted to examining the prospects of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union in the context of the full-scale military invasion. It explores the comprehensive support provided by the European Union to Ukraine, including financial, military, and humanitarian assistance. The main challenges facing Ukraine on its path toward EU integration amid the ongoing armed conflict are thoroughly characterized. The article outlines the key requirements that must be fulfilled for obtaining membership and analyzes the political, economic, and legal aspects of this process. In order for a candidate country to join the EU, it must meet a number of requirements, namely the Copenhagen criteria. It is worth noting that Ukraine has made significant progress in meeting several of these criteria. As of November 2023, the European Commission acknowledged that Ukraine had fully met four out of the seven defined criteria. The study identifies potential opportunities and prospects opening up for Ukraine and outlines the positive effects of European integration on the country’s internal stability and development. Among the positive outcomes of EU integration are enhanced national security, protection of human rights through European institutions, macroeconomic stability, and the promotion of Ukrainian culture. The article emphasizes the importance of political will, internal societal consolidation, and international support in ensuring the successful implementation of the European integration process. It defines the stages of further movement toward EU membership and presents an approximate timeline for the completion of this process.