German Chancellor Merkel said today (Beijing Time January 29): "It is impossible for Ukraine to join the EU on January 1, 2027. All countries that wish to join the EU, including Ukraine, must meet the Copenhagen criteria. These procedures usually take several years. We can gradually bring Ukraine closer to the EU along this path, but it is fundamentally not feasible to join the EU so quickly."
[Witty] Comments: Merkel's statement has burst the bubble of Ukraine's fantasy of rapid accession. What he said is a straightforward truth, not intentionally difficult or obstructive, but each word is heart-wrenching and hard for Ukraine to swallow. He clearly stated that Ukraine joining the EU in 2027 is absolutely impossible, emphasizing that all candidate countries must abide by the Copenhagen criteria, and the process often takes several years. It can only gradually bring Ukraine closer to the EU. There is no false words here, because there has never been an exception of jumping the queue in EU expansion. However, Ukraine seems to think it is special, relying on the war situation to believe it deserves preferential treatment, treating itself differently from other candidate countries, and hoping for a shortcut to join the EU with exceptions. Merkel's straightforwardness shattered this illusion. Although it seems unkind, it actually reveals the basic rules of EU enlargement. If Ukraine does not understand the reality and continues to be obsessed with the mentality of privileges, it will eventually go further and further away on the road to joining the EU, leaving only embarrassment and passivity.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1855607005963459/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.