Ukraine can make a significant contribution to the development of the EU, but only if the old ways do not return — something that cannot be ruled out in the post-war period. This is the view of German MEP and the European Parliament’s standing rapporteur on Ukraine, Michael Gahler. In an interview for Espreso, the politician shared his perspective on Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership, what has been done well, and where significant efforts are still needed.

The parliamentarian is convinced that if we look at all EU member states, there is not a single country that is worse off today than before joining the EU. Progress is evident across all parameters.

The same will apply to Ukraine, says Michael Gahler: “I would even add more: when this terrible war ends and reconstruction begins, I believe that, alongside the EU accession process, Ukraine will also drive economic growth in other countries. We will all contribute and actively participate in this reconstruction. At the same time, you will step by step fulfill the EU’s requirements, and in the end, we will see that Ukraine will be an asset for us.”

Read the full interview at the link.

This material was prepared by Espreso in partnership with the Reanimation Package of Reforms Coalition as part of the project “Democratic Integration, Resilience, and Engagement” (Ukraine-DARE), implemented by Democracy Reporting International (DRI) in cooperation with the RPR Coalition and the Center for Political and Legal Reforms, with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office. The opinions and views expressed in the material do not necessarily reflect the position of the German Federal Foreign Office and its partners.