this post was submitted on 12 Dec 2023
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Honestly, Ukraine has never been a good fit for EU. They would be better off with NATO, because they don't align with Europe on alot of other areas. And let's be honest, they primarily want the protection.
If they want to change that, and be more like Europe, fine. But that's a big move from where they are.
I think this view is very Russo-centric. EU helps the Ukrainian middle class by improving the economy and preventing corruption. Look at how much richer Poland is than Ukraine.
I don't think an opinion against Ukraine, is an opinion for Russia. Ukraine had many problems even before Russia invaded, and they did not qualify for membership. I'm just saying, there's a reason for that.
But I 100% agree that Ukraine would benefit, if it entered the EU. There's just so much more to it that the people in Ukraine should be aware of.
And don't think I don't wish for them to join at some point. I'm only saying that it's not the next step.
I'm not saying that it's a pro-Russia opinion. I'm saying that it reduces Ukraine to just being a victim of Russia imperialism, instead of being an entire country with people, politics, and an economy.
Post USSR, Russia has had influence over Ukraine, but it never threatened to invade Ukraine, that only happened in 2014. Ukrainian polls show that Ukraine never wanted to join NATO before the invasion of Crimea/Donbass. In fact, I've seen YouTube videos that argue that the lease of Sevastopol to Russia was a way to guarantee to Russia that it wouldn't join NATO.
I agree with you that there are challenges with EU membership for Ukraine, but it is also something that Ukrainians have wanted for a long time, more than they wanted military protection from NATO. Considering the current integration climate of the EU, and the international focus on Ukraine, I think they have a good chance. Much better than countries like Turkey which has been backsliding ever since they applied.
Kraut has a really good video going into detail what European integration will look like for Ukraine, and vice versa:
https://youtu.be/hA6y4o0-1XY
And what’s the difference exactly? As a Czech dating an Ukrainian woman, let me tell you that the difference is that “European” women are spoiled and lazy. My girlfriend is working two jobs (14 to 16 hours a day), she’s facing a lot of discrimination and racism and yet she’s always in a good mood. Everyone is her community is like that.
Maybe you are from a non-Slavic country? To you they might seem different because you don’t understand/know? They are listening to the same music as you, they are watching the same shows on Netflix as you. Their stuff is arguably better than “ours” cough Lions on the jeep cough. Learn the language and you’ll see. For a nation that went through so many tragedies I don’t think it’s fair to look down upon them. Even if they primarily want a protection. So what? Why should you have it and they don’t?
Uh, OK.
I didn't mean the people, and certainly not your girlfriend. I didn't mean the music nor the films.
I meant the corruption and politics allowing it.
And I don't think I look down on anybody. I legitimately suggested NATO as it fits better and would be faster to implement for the safety of the people. To be an EU member takes time Ukraine does not have.