Ukrainian membership would have serious – and profound – implications for the bloc.

Even before the war ground its economy to dust, Ukraine was one of the poorest countries in Europe.

It had a GDP per capita of $4,800 (€4451) in 2021 – more than ten times less than advanced European economies such as the UK, France and Germany.

According to Jolyon Howorth, a professor of European politics, integrating such a battered and bruised country would cost a “horrendous amount”.

It could invariably strain EU finances, possibly diverting funds away from poorer member states, such as Poland, Greece, Hungary and Romania, all net beneficiaries in 2022.

Debates around Ukraine’s EU membership ultimately raise profound existential questions about the bloc itself.

Source: EuroNews.com

N.B. We shouldn’t forget that Ukraine also is the most corrupted country in Europe and has been so for many years.

Header image via Scanpix, cropped and slightly enhanced by me.