Washington Could Speed Up Ukraine's Accession To The EU And Reap The Benefits

• 9.11.2026, 20:47

Experts propose three courses of action for the United States.

Ukraine’s accession to the European Union must be a mandatory part of a peaceful resolution to the war, and the Donald Trump administration can help overcome resistance from European countries. To this end, Washington is being urged to strike a major deal with Brussels and Kyiv that would simultaneously advance peace negotiations and strengthen U.S. relations with Europe, writes Atlantic Council.

Washington could support Ukraine’s European integration in exchange for accelerating necessary reforms, while the European Union would gain a more significant role in the peace talks. The lack of a clear path to the EU, they warn, could leave Ukraine in a “gray zone” and open the door for Russia to make new attempts to subjugate the country.

The main obstacle is disagreement within the European Union itself. Ukraine’s accession could increase spending on agricultural subsidies and regional aid, as well as intensify competition for European farmers. According to some estimates, in the short term, the expansion will cost EU member states 136 billion euros.

Experts suggest three courses of action for the U.S.: to seek European involvement in the negotiations, to link financial aid to Kyiv with the implementation of reforms, and to help find a compromise on trade in Ukrainian agricultural products. For example, Washington could guarantee the purchase of certain volumes of Ukrainian grain to ease the pressure on European producers.

EU accession will not replace NATO’s security guarantees for Ukraine. However, it will strengthen the Ukrainian economy and defense industry, while helping Europe enhance its own military capabilities. “The ‘big deal’ might not be such a crazy idea after all,” the authors conclude.

“The ‘big deal’ might not be such a crazy idea after all,” the authors conclude.