Three years ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This conflict has redefined the geopolitical order in Europe. Since then, Ukraine has defended its sovereignty and consistently pursued integration with the European Union, viewing membership as a guarantee of stability, development, and security.

Our newest report "Ukraine on the road to the European Union: realities and prospects through the lens of the Polish experience" examines the challenges and opportunities Ukraine faces on the path to European Union membership.

Ukraine's transition to European Union membership is part of a broader geopolitical, economic, and social context that defines the future of the entire Central and Eastern European region. The Russian aggression against Ukraine and the accompanying turn in European thinking about security, politics, and the economy create a unique context for considering Ukraine's future place in the structures of the European Union.    

During the ongoing war and the growing expectations of Ukrainian society, Ukraine today stands at the threshold of one of the most critical challenges of its recent history. After all, the EU accession process is not only a formal procedure of meeting specific criteria and taking over the acquis communautaire but also a thorough institutional, economic and social modernization. In this context, the Polish experience of two decades ago acquires special significance, taking into account the different conditions of the two accessions and the changes that have taken place in the European Union. Poland's entry into the EU in 2004 is an example of a dynamic process that has shaped the new member state's politics, economy, and society. By combining geopolitical and economic perspectives and referring to Poland's practical experience, the report provides a complementary picture of the conditions and possible scenarios for Ukraine's future integration into EU structures.    

The report was produced in cooperation between the Warsaw Enterprise Institute (Poland) and the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (Kyiv, Ukraine) and is based on legal analysis, research of the Ukrainian market, and the experience of Polish accession reforms.

Source and full report, wei.org.pl