Ukraine is too corrupt to join the EU — Jean-Claude Juncker

Jean-Claude Juncker is not calling for Ukraine to join the EU. Photo: Kenzo Tribullar/AFP

Ukraine is not ready to join the EU because it is “corrupt at all levels of society,” former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said.

Mr Juncker said that he gave “false promises” to Ukrainians regarding their candidacy. joining the bloc would bring “no benefit to either the EU or Ukraine.”

He also criticized those he accused of telling Ukrainians they could be given a shortcut to joining the EU.

“We should not make false promises to people in Ukraine who are ready for their responsibilities. necks in misery,” he told the German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine.

I am very angry at some voices in Europe who are telling Ukrainians that they can become members immediately.”

Countries hoping To join the EU, they will have to complete complex reforms and pass a series of European laws before they are granted access to the bloc, which could take more than a decade.

Among the reforms that Kyiv must implement are measures to combat corruption and money laundering. This process is unlikely to be completed while the war continues.

Ursula von der Leyen, who succeeded Juncker as commission president in 2019, recently praised Ukraine's progress on these reforms and was more positive about Kiev's candidacy.

“Anyone who has had anything to do with Ukraine knows that it is a country that is corrupt at all levels of society. Despite all efforts, it is not ready to join — it needs major internal reforms,” Mr Juncker said.

“We have bad experience with some so-called new members, for example when it comes to the rule of law. This cannot happen again.”

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has led anti-corruption measures in Ukraine, equating corruption with high treason.

The EU is reportedly ready to make concessions. the green light for talks with Ukraine on its future entry into the bloc in December as a sign of support for Kiev.

Any expansion of the bloc must remove obstacles to unanimous approval by all existing members, as it would also have serious domestic consequences.

Brussels will pay Kiev £161 billion over seven years if it eventually joins, turning various members from «net recipients» to «net contributors» for the first time, according to a leaked analysis. was announced earlier this week.