Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić recently stated in an interview with TV Pink that Ukraine is likely closer to EU membership than any other country, citing the country’s political progress. “Politically, Ukraine is, of course, closer, which is logical. Probably the closest. But in all other aspects, we are already much further along”he added.
Vučić made the comments after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the two leaders discussed the peace in Ukraine and the European path they are both on. According to Vučić, a common denominator was found in the EU’s approach to both countries.
In contrast, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated this week that Ukraine is not currently prepared to join the EU, citing the potential costs and economic consequences for Hungary. Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki also expressed concerns over the economic implications of a hastened EU membership for Ukraine.
Ukraine submitted an official application for EU membership in February 2022 and has since been granted the status of a candidate country, alongside Moldova. This decision was seen by many as a political response to the escalating conflict with Russia. Initially, Moscow had stated it had no objections to Ukraine’s EU membership, but later reversed its stance, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov describing the EU as increasingly militaristic and aggressive.
Serbia, which was granted candidate status in 2012, remains in the EU accession process, which is hindered by the Kosovo issue. The country will not join the EU if it means recognizing the Republic of Kosovo, legalizing same-sex marriage, or getting involved in the conflict with Russia and China, said Vice Premier Aleksandar Vulin last year.
Apart from Serbia and Ukraine, the current EU candidate countries include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Turkey.