Is Ukraine ready for the EU? Is the EU ready for Ukraine? Here we deliberate about the pros and cons of a possible Ukrainian EU membership.

The political transformations and current problems within Ukraine have brought to the political agenda the desirability of an eventual European Union membership for this country. Some analysts warn against dependency on Russia and argue that Ukraine should get closer to the West and join the EU, for economic and geostrategic reasons. The Russian annexation of Crimea and their support to the separatist rebels in Eastern Ukraine is increasing the popularity of some of these ideas. However two different type of arguments have been made against a full EU membership.

On the one hand, joining the EU could worsen the already very deteriorated relationships with Russia, Ukraine's traditional major economic partner. On the other hand, there are many doubts about the readiness of Ukranian political institutions to enter the EU. Is Ukraine fit for the EU? Moreover the EU is also undergoing an institutional crisis and its capacity to further enlarge and accomodate a country such as Ukraine has been questioned. If so many are currently questioning the EU why should Ukraine join them?

Should Ukraine be invited to join the EU? Let us know what you think could be the main problems and if overall this would be positive or negative for Ukraine and Europe in general.