On June 23, 2022, nearly four months after Russia invaded and formally applied for membership in the European Union, Ukraine was granted candidate status. A year later, a report expected to be released this week shows Kiev has met only two of seven membership conditions, sources told Reuters. Progress, in the midst of a counter-offensive that will have already regained control of eight locations within two weeks, but far from what is desired if the goal is to start formal negotiations later this year.
“There is progress. The report will be moderately positive,” said one of the two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity. The two conditions that have already been met relate to judicial reform and media laws. “It is not to embellish reality, but to recognize progress. For example, there have been some high-profile cases of anti-corruption,” said the same source. However, a third source said that “not everything is satisfactory” even in terms of judicial reform. “In terms of reforms, it’s a glass half full, we would never strike a negative tone towards Ukraine at this point.”
The report will be distributed on Wednesday to diplomats from the 27 countries in Brussels and to European ministers, who will meet in Stockholm on Thursday. This is only a preliminary report and the most formal review is expected in October. Proponents of an accelerated path to membership, which normally takes years, hope that Kiev can start talks in December. The final decision to do so rests with the 27.
On the ground, Ukraine continues its counter-offensive, after announcing the recovery of eight sites in two weeks – the last Piatykhatky, 90 kilometers from the coast. According to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, Ukrainian forces advanced about seven kilometers beyond Russian lines towards Berdiansk and Melitopol, retaking 113 square kilometers of land. However, the situation is “difficult”.
A new trial has started in Russia against opponent Alexei Navalny, who faces an additional 30 years in prison if convicted of “extremism”. The trial is taking place behind closed doors. Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin’s strongest critics, has already served nine years in prison for corruption – a charge his supporters say is politically motivated.
“We are going to have an electoral campaign against the war. And against Putin. Just that: a long, persistent, exhausting but very important campaign, in which we will incite the people against the war.” Navalny said in an article on his website.
Source: DN
