The Netherlands will back Ukraine's EU candidacy after all
2 years, 6 months ago

The Netherlands will back Ukraine's EU candidacy after all

Dutch News  

The Netherlands will support Ukraine’s candidate membership of the EU, foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra said after Friday’s cabinet meeting. ‘The European Commission’s proposal does justice to the situation in Ukraine and so we are going to do this.’ Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said earlier on Friday that Brussels recommended Ukraine be given candidate status. All in all, the commission’s proposal is ‘well balanced’, Hoekstra said, adding that he expected the rest of the EU and European parliament to support it. Ukraine’s membership of the EU was the subject of an ‘advisory referendum’ in 2016, organised by far right parties, and some of its backers later admitted that Dutch membership of the EU, not Ukraine, was the real issue.

Ukraine Netherlands Hoekstra Candidate Status  ukraines  candidacy  netherlands  eu  candidate  status  ukraine  saidthe  hoekstra  membership  referendum  support

History of this topic

Ukraine seeks NATO membership in tacit message to Putin
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Ukraine seeks NATO membership in tacit message to Putin

Hindustan Times  

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has urged his NATO counterparts to issue an invitation at a meeting in Brussels next week to Kyiv to join the Western military alliance, according to the text of a letter seen by Reuters on Friday. The letter reflects Ukraine's renewed push to secure an invitation to join NATO, which is part of a "victory …

Ukraine and Moldova launch EU membership talks, but joining is likely to take years
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Ukraine and Moldova launch EU membership talks, but joining is likely to take years

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Tuesday launched membership talks with Ukraine, a decade after Russian troops seized the Crimean Peninsula to deter the country from moving closer to the West, part of a chain of events that set the two neighbors on the path to war. In opening remarks presented via video-link, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal described it …

EU launches membership talks with Moldova and Ukraine
5 months, 4 weeks ago

EU launches membership talks with Moldova and Ukraine

Al Jazeera  

A symbolic ceremony will mark the beginning of the negotiations in Luxembourg, signalling that the two ex-Soviet countries are on a path away from Russian influence. The European Union is to formally launch accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova after the bloc’s member states gave the nod last week. The agreement of the bloc’s 27 members was secured last week, …

Ukraine’s top EU negotiator says war-torn country won’t seek ‘discount’ on entry commitments
6 months ago

Ukraine’s top EU negotiator says war-torn country won’t seek ‘discount’ on entry commitments

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s top official for Europe says the war-torn country is on an “irreversible” course of Western integration after the European Union agreed to formally start entry negotiations this week. The decision to launch accession talks this week is a “big day” for her country, Olga Stefanishyna, the deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, said. “The …

EU nations agree to start membership negotiations next week with Ukraine and Moldova
6 months ago

EU nations agree to start membership negotiations next week with Ukraine and Moldova

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union agreed Friday to start membership negotiations with embattled Ukraine and Moldova, another step in the nations’ long journey to move closer to the West and mute Russia’s influence. Ukraine applied to join the the bloc less than a week after Russia invaded in February 2022, and EU leaders acted with uncharacteristic speed in making it …

Ukraine’s a step closer to joining the EU. Here’s what it means, and why it matters
1 year ago

Ukraine’s a step closer to joining the EU. Here’s what it means, and why it matters

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Ukraine got a green light Thursday to start sped-up talks on joining the European Union. That’s a big boost for war-ravaged Ukraine and a loud message to Vladimir Putin — but it could be years before the country actually becomes a member of the EU. WHY UKRAINE’S MEMBERSHIP JOURNEY IS ROCKY EU officials had said talks couldn’t officially …

Orbán says Hungary will block EU membership negotiations for Ukraine at a crucial summit this week
1 year ago

Orbán says Hungary will block EU membership negotiations for Ukraine at a crucial summit this week

Associated Press  

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary will block a proposal to start talks on European Union membership for Ukraine at a summit of the bloc’s leaders this week, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Wednesday, adding that admitting the war-ravaged country would have unforeseeable consequences for the EU. Speaking to lawmakers in Hungary’s parliament Wednesday, Orbán said that the time for bringing Ukraine …

The Netherlands’ longtime ruling party says it won’t join a new government following far-right’s win
1 year, 1 month ago

The Netherlands’ longtime ruling party says it won’t join a new government following far-right’s win

Associated Press  

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A senator from the Netherlands’ Party for Freedom was appointed Friday to investigate possible governing coalitions after the far-right party’s election victory, while the party of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte said it would support a center-right administration in parliament but not join the next government. Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, the new leader of the People’s Party for …

Ukraine is 'light years away' from joining European Union, says Hungarian PM Viktor Orban
1 year, 1 month ago

Ukraine is 'light years away' from joining European Union, says Hungarian PM Viktor Orban

India TV News  

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is one of Russia's only allies in the European Union on Saturday signalled that his government would stand against negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the 27-member European bloc scheduled for mid-December. Addressing a biannual congress of his nationalist Fidesz party, Orban said that he and his government would "resist" talks on whether to formally …

Are Ukraine, Moldova a step closer to becoming European Union members?
1 year, 1 month ago

Are Ukraine, Moldova a step closer to becoming European Union members?

Firstpost  

The EU’s executive commission has recommended allowing negotiations to let Ukraine and Moldova join the bloc begin and has also proposed offering Georgia candidate status. Experts say this is an important milestone on Kyiv’s road to joining the West, but the process may take years The European Union’s executive commission has recommended that detailed negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova to …

Ukraine gets good news about its EU membership quest as Balkans countries slip back in the queue
1 year, 1 month ago

Ukraine gets good news about its EU membership quest as Balkans countries slip back in the queue

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia received positive news on Wednesday about their quests to join the European Union, but countries in the volatile Balkans region that have waited years longer to become members of the world’s biggest trading bloc appeared to slip back in the queue. In a series of reports on countries wanting to join the bloc’s ranks, …

Is Ukraine ready to join the European Union? Brussels to report today
1 year, 1 month ago

Is Ukraine ready to join the European Union? Brussels to report today

Firstpost  

If war-torn Ukraine does get the nod, it will still only be at the start of a painstaking process of reforms that could still last for years – if not decades – before it joins the EU. Turkey began accession talks in 2005, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are in negotiations as well Ukraine launched an attempt to become …

Ukraine gets European Commission nod to start EU membership talks
1 year, 1 month ago

Ukraine gets European Commission nod to start EU membership talks

Al Jazeera  

Ukraine’s president hails move as ‘strong and historic step’ that paves way to a stronger EU. The European Union’s executive has recommended opening formal membership talks with Ukraine, as soon as it meets final conditions, in a major show of support for Kyiv in its battle against Russia. “This is a strong and historic step that paves the way to …

Ukraine moves forward in its EU membership quest while Balkan hopefuls slip back
1 year, 1 month ago

Ukraine moves forward in its EU membership quest while Balkan hopefuls slip back

LA Times  

Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia received positive news Wednesday about their quests to join the European Union, but countries in the volatile Balkans region that have waited years longer to become members of the world’s biggest trading bloc appeared to slip back in the queue. The European Commission lauded Ukraine, which Russian troops invaded last year, saying that the government “has …

Top European diplomats meet in Kyiv to support Ukraine as signs of strain show among allies
1 year, 2 months ago

Top European diplomats meet in Kyiv to support Ukraine as signs of strain show among allies

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The foreign ministers from the European Union’s 27 member …

Why support for Ukraine is in danger of splitting the EU
1 year, 3 months ago

Why support for Ukraine is in danger of splitting the EU

The Independent  

This may have been a mistake, but I have always regarded Ursula von der Leyen as a rather low-key, matter-of-fact politician in a Merkel-esque mode. “History,” she said, “is now calling us to work on completing our Union”, and she set herself unambiguously on the side of EU enlargement, to include Moldova and the Western Balkans, plus, of course, Ukraine. …

EU official proposes 2030 as enlargement deadline for states that have long been waiting in line
1 year, 3 months ago

EU official proposes 2030 as enlargement deadline for states that have long been waiting in line

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Faced with the Russian aggression …

After backlash, NATO chief says only Ukraine can decide on talks to end war
1 year, 4 months ago

After backlash, NATO chief says only Ukraine can decide on talks to end war

Al Jazeera  

Jens Stoltenberg’s chief of staff suggested earlier that Kyiv could give up land to Russia in return for NATO membership. Speaking at a conference in the Norwegian town of Arendal, Jens Stoltenberg said: “It is the Ukrainians, and only the Ukrainians, who can decide when there are conditions in place for negotiations and who can decide at the negotiating table …

NATO Wrestles with Ukraine Bid at Summit on Russia's Doorstep, Biden to Meet Zelensky on Wednesday
1 year, 5 months ago

NATO Wrestles with Ukraine Bid at Summit on Russia's Doorstep, Biden to Meet Zelensky on Wednesday

News 18  

NATO leaders grapple with Ukraine’s membership ambitions at their summit Tuesday, their determination to face down Russia boosted by a breakthrough in Sweden’s bid to join the alliance. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters NATO will draw up a path of reforms that Ukraine will need to undertake in order to eventually join, but without giving a …

European leaders meet in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine's path toward joining the EU
1 year, 10 months ago

European leaders meet in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine's path toward joining the EU

NPR  

European leaders meet in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine's path toward joining the EU Enlarge this image toggle caption Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images KYIV, Ukraine — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel traveled to Kyiv for an annual EU-Ukraine summit. Ukrainian and European Union leaders have been meeting …

EU’s top brass prepares for summit with Zelenskyy in Kyiv
1 year, 10 months ago

EU’s top brass prepares for summit with Zelenskyy in Kyiv

Al Jazeera  

Ukrainian and EU officials will hold talks in Kyiv on Friday over the war-torn country’s push to join the bloc. European Union leaders have arrived in Kyiv for talks with Ukraine’s government, bringing the promise of new sanctions against Russia but disappointing Ukraine’s hopes for swift membership to the EU. EU states have offered Kyiv political, economic and military backing …

Bulgarian MEPs call on Dutch to let their country join Schengen
2 years, 1 month ago

Bulgarian MEPs call on Dutch to let their country join Schengen

Dutch News  

Bulgarian members of the European parliament have launched an appeal to Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte to let their country, as well as Romania and Croatia, join the Schengen area on January 1, 2023. ‘The 11-year unprecedented and groundless blocking of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area by the Council of the EU, and in particular …

Bulgarian MEPs call on Dutch to let their country join Schengen
2 years, 1 month ago

Bulgarian MEPs call on Dutch to let their country join Schengen

Dutch News  

Bulgarian members of the European parliament have launched an appeal to Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte to let their country, as well as Romania and Croatia, join the Schengen area on January 1, 2023. ‘The 11-year unprecedented and groundless blocking of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area by the Council of the EU, and in particular …

The Netherlands won't single-handedly block Bosnia from becoming EU candidate member
2 years, 1 month ago

The Netherlands won't single-handedly block Bosnia from becoming EU candidate member

NL Times  

The Netherlands is no longer opposed to the European Commission's proposal to make Bosnia-Herzegovina a candidate for EU membership. But, there are also arguments in favor of candidate membership, wrote Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra in a letter to the Tweede Kamer. Last month, the European Commission decided that Bosnia should become a candidate for membership, even though it does not …

Netherlands will continue broad support for Ukraine: Dutch PM
2 years, 5 months ago

Netherlands will continue broad support for Ukraine: Dutch PM

NL Times  

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in Kyiv on Monday that the war in Ukraine could last longer than hoped and thought. We need to stay focused and continue to support Ukraine in every way we can.” Rutte visited Ukraine for the first time since the Russians invaded the country in February. Rutte said after meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that …

Hope of EU membership big support for Ukraine, Dutch PM says
2 years, 6 months ago

Hope of EU membership big support for Ukraine, Dutch PM says

NL Times  

The candidate European Union membership for Ukraine and Moldova is an important boost for those countries, said Prime Minister Mark Rutte. That was also apparent from the words of thanks that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Moldovan colleague Maria Sandu addressed to the EU leaders on Thursday evening, Rutte said. The Prime Minister also does not know whether the two …

European Union makes Ukraine a candidate for EU membership
2 years, 6 months ago

European Union makes Ukraine a candidate for EU membership

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union agreed Thursday to put Ukraine on a path toward EU membership, acting with uncharacteristic speed and unity to pull the embattled country further away from Russia’s influence and bind it more closely to the West. Meeting at a summit in Brussels, leaders of the EU’s 27 nations mustered the required unanimous approval to grant Ukraine …

European Union makes Ukraine a candidate for EU membership
2 years, 6 months ago

European Union makes Ukraine a candidate for EU membership

The Hindu  

The European Union agreed on Thursday to put Ukraine on a path toward EU membership, acting with uncharacteristic speed and unity to pull the embattled country further away from Russia’s influence and bind it more closely to the West. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted his gratitude and declared: “Ukraine’s future is within the EU.” Sincerely commend EU leaders' decision at …

Moldova, tiny, poor and bordering Ukraine, gets EU candidacy
2 years, 6 months ago

Moldova, tiny, poor and bordering Ukraine, gets EU candidacy

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Ukraine granted EU candidate status
2 years, 6 months ago

Ukraine granted EU candidate status

The Telegraph  

Albania’s progress towards membership has been blocked by EU member Bulgaria. Mr Rama said, “It is a disgrace that that one NATO country, Bulgaria, kidnaps two other NATO countries namely Albania and North Macedonia, in the midst of the hot war at the European backyards with 26 other countries sitting still, in a scary show of impotence," he said. Kosovan …

As war for eastern Ukraine reaches ‘fearful climax,’ European Union approves Kiev’s bid for candidacy
2 years, 6 months ago

As war for eastern Ukraine reaches ‘fearful climax,’ European Union approves Kiev’s bid for candidacy

LA Times  

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers appeared to be all but encircled as Russian troops advanced Thursday around two strategically important cities in eastern Ukraine in what a senior Ukrainian official called a “fearful climax” of the battle for the Donbas, signaling that the fall of a significant part of the region was imminent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded via Twitter: “Ukraine’s …

Russia-Ukraine latest: Ukraine officially an EU candidate
2 years, 6 months ago

Russia-Ukraine latest: Ukraine officially an EU candidate

Al Jazeera  

‘Today marks a crucial step on your path towards the EU’: President of the European Council Charles Michel. 23 Jun 2022 - 20:09 GMT Kyiv files case against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights Kyiv said it has formally filed a case against Russia at the European Court of Human Rights to end “the mass and gross human …

‘A good day for Europe’: EU grants Ukraine candidate status
2 years, 6 months ago

‘A good day for Europe’: EU grants Ukraine candidate status

Al Jazeera  

Leaders of the EU’s 27 nations unanimously voted for Ukraine candidate status in a moral victory for the war-torn country. Meeting at a summit in Brussels on Thursday, leaders of the EU’s 27 nations mustered the required unanimous approval to grant Ukraine candidate status. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted his gratitude and declared: “Ukraine’s future is within the EU.” Sincerely …

As war rages on, Ukraine gets chance to 'live the European dream'
2 years, 6 months ago

As war rages on, Ukraine gets chance to 'live the European dream'

India Today  

With the war in Ukraine's east raging on, Kyiv received a major boost when the European Union recommended that it become a candidate to join the bloc, in what would be a dramatic geopolitical shift following Russia's invasion. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia was closely following Ukraine's EU bid, especially in the light of increased defence cooperation among …

The Netherlands will back Ukraine's EU candidacy after all
2 years, 6 months ago

The Netherlands will back Ukraine's EU candidacy after all

Dutch News  

The Netherlands will support Ukraine’s candidate membership of the EU, foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra said after Friday’s cabinet meeting. ‘The European Commission’s proposal does justice to the situation in Ukraine and so we are going to do this.’ Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said earlier on Friday that Brussels recommended Ukraine be given candidate status. All in all, the …

European Union executive: Make Ukraine a member candidate
2 years, 6 months ago

European Union executive: Make Ukraine a member candidate

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s executive arm on Friday recommended making Ukraine a candidate for EU membership, a morale booster and a first step on what is expected to be a long road for the war-torn country to join the 27-nation bloc. “Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective,” commission President Ursula von der Leyen said — wearing …

EU commission backs Ukraine's membership bid
2 years, 6 months ago

EU commission backs Ukraine's membership bid

India Today  

The executive members of the European Union on Friday gave its recommendation for Ukraine to become an official member of the 27-nation bloc. According to a report by Reuters, the EU's executive Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said, “Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the country's aspiration and determination to live up to European values and standards.” She was speaking in …

EU Commission backs candidate status for Ukraine
2 years, 6 months ago

EU Commission backs candidate status for Ukraine

The Hindu  

The executive arm of the European Union recommended Friday that Ukraine be granted candidate status to one day join the 27-nation bloc. The European Commission recommendation is the first step on the long road toward membership and comes a day after four European Union leaders vowed to back Kyiv’s candidacy. Meanwhile, Russia pressed its attacks on cities in Ukraine’s eastern …

EU Grants Ukraine, Moldova ‘Candidate Status’, First Step In Long Way To Full Membership
2 years, 6 months ago

EU Grants Ukraine, Moldova ‘Candidate Status’, First Step In Long Way To Full Membership

News 18  

The European Commission on Friday accorded Ukraine and Moldova ‘candidate status’. Georgia was not accorded a candidate status since it was yet to meet specific conditions, news agency Bloomberg said, quoting people familiar with the developments. The EU document, accessed by news agency Bloomberg, says that Ukraine has to – Execute a legislation on selection procedure for judges of the …

EU Commission supports Ukraine’s bid to join the bloc
2 years, 6 months ago

EU Commission supports Ukraine’s bid to join the bloc

CNN  

CNN — Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union received a major boost on Friday morning, after the bloc’s executive said it believed the country should be formally considered for candidate status in the wake of Russia’s invasion. Speaking in Brussels, the European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen said the Commission recommends “that Ukraine is given candidate status. During …

European Commission backs Ukraine for EU candidate status
2 years, 6 months ago

European Commission backs Ukraine for EU candidate status

Al Jazeera  

Commission gives a fast-tracked opinion on membership of the bloc before a summit of EU leaders on June 23-24. Al Jazeera’s Dominic Kane, reporting from Berlin, says “the devil is in the detail” over the European Commission’s move on Ukraine’s candidate status. French President Emmanuel Macron had said during an official visit to Kyiv on Thursday that France, Germany, Italy …

Netherlands now voicing support for Ukraine's EU candidacy
2 years, 6 months ago

Netherlands now voicing support for Ukraine's EU candidacy

NL Times  

The Netherlands will not object to Ukraine becoming a candidate for European Union membership, said Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra. Moldova, which also feels threatened by the Russian incursion into Ukraine, may also become a candidate member, the European Commission said. Ukraine and Moldova must follow the road to EU membership "by the book", emphasized European Commission leader Ursula von …

Ukraine gets possible path to EU and aid pledges from Britain
2 years, 6 months ago

Ukraine gets possible path to EU and aid pledges from Britain

LA Times  

The European Union’s executive arm recommended putting Ukraine on a path to membership Friday, a symbolic boost for a country fending off a Russian onslaught that is killing civilians, flattening cities and threatening its very survival. The European allies’ latest embrace of Ukraine marked another setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched his war nearly four months ago, hoping …

Analysis: What does Ukraine joining the EU really mean?
2 years, 6 months ago

Analysis: What does Ukraine joining the EU really mean?

Al Jazeera  

European Commission green-lit Ukraine for EU candidate status, but becoming a member might take years because of the war with Russia. “Ukraine belongs to the European family,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, while Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi added, “The most important message of our visit is that Italy wants Ukraine in the EU.” European leaders have used Ukraine’s EU …

Leaders pledge arms and EU path for Ukraine in Kyiv visit
2 years, 6 months ago

Leaders pledge arms and EU path for Ukraine in Kyiv visit

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Four European leaders expressed their support for Ukraine on Thursday while meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, vowing to back Kyiv’s candidacy to eventually join the European Union and offering more weapons to fend off Russia’s invasion. France, Germany, Italy and Romania “are doing everything so that Ukraine alone can decide its fate,” Macron said at a news …

Leading EU official calls bloc’s expansion a “top priority”
2 years, 6 months ago

Leading EU official calls bloc’s expansion a “top priority”

Associated Press  

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — European Council President Charles Michel visited North Macedonia on Thursday and said efforts to start European Union membership talks with the landlocked Balkan country and neighboring Albania have become a “top priority” since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The war in Ukraine opened a new chapter in European history and put EU enlargement at the forefront,” Michel …

EXPLAINER: Why Ukraine’s request to join is big test for EU
2 years, 6 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why Ukraine’s request to join is big test for EU

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Ukraine’s request to join the European Union may advance Friday with a recommendation from the EU’s executive arm that the war-torn country deserves to become a candidate for membership in the 27-nation bloc. Here is a look at what the commission’s announcement on making Ukraine an EU candidate could mean for the region: FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE Ukraine …

EXPLAINER: Why Ukraine’s request to join is big test for EU
2 years, 6 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why Ukraine’s request to join is big test for EU

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ukraine’s request to join the …

European leaders back ‘immediate’ EU candidacy for Ukraine
2 years, 6 months ago

European leaders back ‘immediate’ EU candidacy for Ukraine

Al Jazeera  

Leaders of France, Italy, Germany and Romania visit Ukraine to pledge support, back Kyiv’s bid to join EU as Zelenskyy calls for more weapons. “My colleagues and I came here to Kyiv today with a clear message: ‘Ukraine belongs to the European family,'” Scholz said, while Macron said, “We all four support the immediate EU candidate status” for Ukraine. For …

Discover Related