A clear position against pressure for rapid integration of Ukraine into the European Union was taken by Luxembourg, with Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel stating that there can be no exceptions to existing rules. The Luxembourg official appeared annoyed by Volodymyr Zelensky’s repeated public calls for his country’s EU membership as early as next year. As he emphasized, he has made it clear to the Ukrainian president that ultimatums do not help the process and do not work in Ukraine’s favor. According to him, the European Union must remain consistent with its principles and institutional rules, regardless of political or geopolitical pressures.
Ukraine: Copenhagen criteria take center stage
Xavier Bettel emphasized that the integration of new states requires full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria, which are applied horizontally to all candidate countries. As he noted, there cannot be different treatment depending on circumstances or political sympathy. He made it clear that the European Union cannot “close its eyes, ears and mouth” in order to expedite an integration that does not meet the required prerequisites. For Luxembourg, the Union’s credibility depends on consistency with its rules.
Ukraine: Support, but without concessions
Despite his clear stance, the Foreign Minister reiterated Europe’s support for Ukraine, but clarified that political and economic support does not equate to automatic EU membership. As he noted, the enlargement process cannot operate with exceptions, as this would undermine cohesion and equality among states.
