Due to disagreements over the conflict, Ukraine was “beaten” into eliminating from the European Union candidate?
Ukraine is again facing problems, after previously it was indicated that it was only waiting for the time to join NATO, but until now there has been no clarity on Ukraine’s fate with NATO. Now, Ukraine has to face the fact that its western allies are periodically starting to withdraw in favor of Ukraine joining the European Union. This was also confirmed by the reaction of many countries in western Europe which began to withdraw their support for the conflicts that occurred with Ukraine and Russia, as one of the western allies who openly supported Ukraine in the conflicts that occurred in Eastern Ukraine, France is now facing domestic political stability which is currently under public pressure. Many of its citizens took to the streets to urge the French Government to withdraw from the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The conflict was seen as only wasting a lot of funds that should have been allocated for national interests. Not only in France, in Hungary there were also large demonstrations demanding the Government not to waste its money on the interests of the conflict in Ukraine. The demonstrators believe that the post-pandemic situation should be used as a turning point for the government to carry out economic recovery, not just focusing on solidarity in supporting conflict.
The European Union is divided into two camps, Pro-Ukraine and Against. Realistically, the European Union needs to reconsider the country’s political and economic stability by carrying out inclusive cooperation in the current post-pandemic period. Meanwhile, to support the fate of Ukraine in the conflict that occurred, the European Union can play the role of “Master Mediator” so that there is a conflict resolution. The European Union cannot close its eyes and ears, in fact many countries under the European Union still have dependence on Russia, one of which is Germany. Nord Stream, is an important German asset to support its citizens in the oil and gas aspect. As a major country, Germany can play its role in the European Union to push Ukraine-Russia to end the endless war. Instead of depending on the United States, the European Union whose security can be directly threatened because the war is in mainland Europe, the European Union needs to be aware that solidarity supporting Ukraine to the last drop of blood will only be a waste of time and money.
The division of support and opposition groups in the European Union camp on the Ukraine-Russia conflict needs to be taken into consideration in bringing Ukraine, which is currently still in a protracted and unstable conflict, to only become a “burden” that the European Union bears. Ukraine will be the party that benefits from membership in the European Union later, but how the public response is happening in mainland western Europe at this time which openly refuses to support the conflict in Eastern Ukraine needs to be used as an evaluation for the European Union. NATO is also carrying out tough deliberation efforts among its members to determine the fate of Ukraine in NATO. Though wordy, this is the best strategy NATO can employ to buy time. The European Union can adopt a strategy of stalling for time taking into account sustainability aspects if Ukraine officially becomes part of the European Union, or categorically rejects Ukraine’s membership proposal. The European Union is faced with two crucial choices, prioritizing comprehensive solidarity or prioritizing the restoration of political and economic stability.
