Former EC chief pours cold water on idea of Ukraine's EU accession

Former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has expressed skepticism about Ukraine's pursuit of European Union (EU) membership negotiations, branding the country "corrupt at all levels of society."

In an interview with the German Augsburger Allgemeine, Juncker criticized current EU officials for making what he called "false promises" to Ukraine, suggesting that they had conveyed the impression that Ukraine could become an EU member immediately.

The Luxembourgish politician noted that, despite Ukraine's efforts, it is not yet eligible for EU membership and requires significant internal reform. He cited previous experiences with new EU member states, particularly regarding the rule of law, as cautionary examples that should not be repeated.

These comments from Juncker come during a week when EU foreign ministers convened in Kyiv to discuss providing "long-term support" for Ukraine. This meeting, held outside the EU's borders for the first time, aims to demonstrate the EU's ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine, despite concerns raised by Moscow.

Following this EU summit, Ukraine's President Zelensky declared his intention to initiate EU membership negotiations by the end of the year. While he remains optimistic about this goal, Juncker's comments underscore the need for Ukraine to address significant challenges, including corruption and internal reforms, as it seeks closer ties with the EU.