DEBATE: The Future of European Integration of Ukraine

Ukraine has been suffering from Russia´s agression for almost two years now, and the pressure on its possible membership to the EU and NATO is expontially increasing. While many EU politicians and experts are debating when Ukraine will be accepted into the EU, some voice a more skeptical point of view - is it truly about when or rather if? Ukraine´s membership would pose a significant challenge for the EU as a whole, as well as for individual member states. The membership would put a major strain on the EU´s finances and Ukraine would become a major net recepient of aid. Ukraine is not called a granary of Europe for no reason and, as an EU member, it would become the biggest recipient of CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) funding at a cost to the other member states. Ukraine has made clear it wants to be accepted by the EU (and NATO). On the other hand there is a growing cloud over the EU on whether the member states will find common ground on EU enlargement.

How can we convince EU citizens that accepting Ukraine into the EU is the right thing when for most of them it would mean tightening their belts and lowering their living standards? Ukraine would become one of the biggest and poorest member states. Is the EU structurally ready to accept such a challenge?

Welcome Speech: Alva Finn, Executive Director, European Liberal Forum

Speakers: Edita Hrdá, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU

Kira Rudyk, Vice President, ALDE Party; Member of Parliament, Ukrainian Parliament

Ondřej Knotek, Member, European Parliament

Tony Barber, Europe Editor, Financial Times

Host: Jan Macháček, Chairman of the Board, Institute for Politics and Society