Joining the 28-nation European Union can seem like entering a locked and heavily fortified castle to aspiring nations.
Ukraine is among the nations of Eastern and Central Europe hoping for
closer ties with the EU leading to eventual membership. But Ukraine has
so far not been able to meet Europe’s requirements for signing an
association and trade agreement, including the release of imprisoned
ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, a curb on prosecutorial powers and
stronger election laws. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski
suggested this week that the signing, which is supposed to take place at
the Eastern Partnership Summit on Nov. 28-29 in Vilnius, Lithuania, may
have to be postponed until Ukraine’s democracy shows improvement. “I
would ask the Ukrainian authorities not to waste time and do what needs
to be done,” Sikorski said.
