European Parliament Analyzes Ukraine’s EU Accession Prospects Amid Occupied Territories
In the sphere of European political discussions, considerable attention is being given to Ukraine’s potential membership in the European Union under challenging conditions, including the presence of occupied territories.
European policymakers, notably the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Ukraine, Michael Galler, have expressed the view that Ukraine could join the EU following the example of historical cases such as West Germany or Cyprus, even if not all regions are under the control of the Ukrainian government.
Galler emphasized that if some territories remain occupied at the time of Ukraine’s accession, it might be possible to apply the principle of automatic expansion of accession rights across the country, similar to what happened after the fall of the Berlin Wall when East Germany was unified with West Germany and its laws extended across the whole nation.
He pointed out that the Cyprus situation also illustrates that sovereignty issues can be tackled during the accession process, even if parts of the country are not under government control.
However, Galler noted that during active conflict periods, the accession process is complicated by the need for unanimity among EU member states, emphasizing the importance of a realistic approach.
The delicate balance between political decisions and the reintegration of occupied territories remains critical.
The MEP highlighted that negotiations about Ukraine’s EU membership could start even if parts of the country remain under occupation, as long as the process considers the interests of the entire Ukrainian population.
He suggested that territorial control will resurface during reintegration and transitional periods, similar to existing EU models.
Galler also believed that Ukraine’s accession negotiations might begin before 2026, although political conditions, such as Hungary’s stance under Viktor Orbán, could delay the process.
The European Commission previously confirmed that Ukraine has completed its legislative screening for negotiations, but the official start date remains uncertain due to political considerations.