Ukraine EU diplomats reach compromise on Ukraine-EU association agreement

European Union diplomats reached a compromise on Dec. 15 on the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement in which guarantees were offered to skeptics that would limit the extent of Ukraine’s involvement with the superstructure. Representing the interests of the skeptics/anti-globalists was Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose citizens voted in April to reject the agreement after it was approved by 27 other EU member states. The Netherlands was the last obstacle but active Russian lobbying is believed to have led to the referendum, which was supported by both the far Left and the far Right.

Among the guarantees, outlined in a separate document, are close and long-standing relations between Ukraine and the EU on the basis of common values, yet without the status of a candidate for membership. Security cooperation is to be maintained, yet without collective security guarantees or other military assistance. Ukrainians also don’t gain the right to live and work in the EU.

Despite the guarantees restricting Ukraine’s involvement, the agreement itself remains unamended and will return to the Dutch parliament for a vote, which Rutte considered a victory since “taking the agreement off the table would be the biggest present ever we could give to Vladimir Putin.” He said he would fight for its approval by his Dutch colleagues, particularly the anti-immigrant forces, which are leading in polls ahead of the March 2017 parliamentary elections.

Zenon Zawada: After a disastrous referendum outcome for Ukraine, this compromise is as good as it gets to repair the geopolitical damage that has been done. The agreement itself can’t be amended for Russia, which is achieved by this compromise. The demands of the Dutch public also can’t be ignored, which is also achieved.

Out of the desire to make further political capital from this agreement, Geert Wilders and other anti-immigrant leaders might still reject the compromise in political posturing. Yet Rutte could find other allies to get it approved, particularly among the far Left.

Indeed we believe Ukraine could become stronger as a result of this compromise, which also includes a clause that stresses the importance of conducting reforms and combatting corruption. Officials could spend the next several years strengthening these areas, which alleviate the concerns of Europeans and prompt them to invest more.