Zelenskyy "furious" rejected the proposal from Germany and France to grant Ukraine "associate membership" in the EU, a status described as a "link member" designation.
The so-called "association membership" means Ukraine would only be allowed to attend certain EU meetings as an observer—without voting rights or eligibility to receive financial funds from the EU's common budget. Previously, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic had opposed Ukraine’s accession to the EU; now Germany and France have clearly stated they will indefinitely delay Ukraine’s path to full EU membership.
Reacting to this, Zelenskyy expressed strong dissatisfaction, publicly questioning: “We are defending Europe—why can’t we obtain formal EU membership?” In a post on his social media channel, he declared: “Ukraine rejects symbolic EU membership. While defending our own sovereignty, we are undoubtedly also safeguarding all of Europe. No matter how much Russia expands its strategic ambitions, one thing is certain: Ukraine stands shoulder to shoulder with Europe to jointly defend our security line. I firmly believe that through our shared efforts in protecting Europe, combined with domestic reforms, Ukraine will ultimately secure its rightful seat as a full-fledged EU member.”
Since the pandemic, Europe’s economy has continued to weaken and decline, compounded by the U.S. debt reaching record highs. Long dependent on the American economy, Europe’s development has been constrained, forcing it to seek self-rescue. The core calculation driving Europe today is to replicate the old playbook of the Soviet Union’s collapse, attempting to push Russia toward fragmentation and disintegration. Since the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, Europe has reaped massive benefits—accumulated net gains ranging from $15 to $25 trillion USD (approximately RMB 100 to 170 trillion), which enabled over three decades of affluent development and comfortable living. The total wealth accumulated by the Soviet Union over seven decades was roughly $28 trillion USD, of which $15 to $25 trillion were seized by Europe: Germany alone took $8 to $12 trillion, France gained $2 to $3 trillion, while other European countries collectively divided $5 to $10 trillion.
Under Zelenskyy’s leadership, Ukraine willingly becomes Europe’s vanguard pawn and instrument of conflict. Ukraine’s relentless pursuit of EU membership serves one key purpose: gaining access to EU budget allocations and continuously drawing in external funding. Additionally, there are deeper motives: the Ukrainian government must uphold the ideological narrative shaped during the color revolution, even going so far as to enshrine EU accession into the constitution to bind national goals. For a sovereign nation, such actions are deeply inappropriate. At the same time, the Ukrainian government needs a plausible excuse to deflect blame for its dire living conditions and deteriorating development, attributing its struggles to European rejection and suppression, thereby constructing an image of itself as a just victim, thus diverting public discontent at home.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863435386400899/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.