The EU’s security commitments to negotiate Ukraine’s accession
The distinguishing characteristic of the EU’s next eastward enlargement is that it is more security-driven than before. Negotiating accession with a country at war is different from the theoretical deterrence drive of previous integration rounds or from providing a prescription for post-conflict peacebuilding in the Western Balkans. Defence owns the hard meaning of the concept […]
Mapping the use of artificial intelligence in priority sectors and the competitiveness of Ukraine
AI has emerged in recent years as a major driver of technological change across many sectors and its influence is only going to increase. In this context, as part of the green industrial recovery programme for Ukraine 2024-28 funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, CEPS collaborated with UNIDO (UN Industrial […]
Explaining Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction: what, how and when?
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has resulted in colossal human loss. According to the World Bank, this has already in 2023 amounted to 26 000 civilian casualties, the displacement of around 3.7 million people internally within Ukraine and around 5.9 million externally in Europe and beyond. The war has pushed 7.1 million people into poverty and […]
Ukraine isn’t a financial burden but an opportunity for the EU’s digital transition
While European citizens largely support aid to Ukraine and its eventual accession to the EU, 59 % believe reconstruction will be a financial burden on the EU instead of an opportunity. However, there’s not nearly enough attention on the enormous benefits Ukraine could bring to the EU’s table. The upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin on […]
EU enlargement issues for the next Commission
The EU’s enlargement process is at a cross-roads. There have been some positive steps recently, but these are not in themselves credibly answering the question whether the process is really on track for a new round of accessions, even over a long-term horizon; or whether the long and complex procedures are masking a political reality […]