Good investment: Ukraine’s accession to the EU will require a 20% increase in the bloc’s budget.

EU budget commissioner Johannes Hahn said that in the event of Ukraine’s accession to the EU, the bloc should increase its seven-year budget by €200B (+20%). He explains this expansion by the current rules of agricultural aid and structural support within the EU.

However, Johannes emphasizes that €200B is 0.2% of European economic output. The politician calls it a “profitable investment” because, according to him, Ukraine has powerful economic potential.

At the same time, the commissioner is concerned that the EU should prepare a legislative framework for Ukraine’s accession and unite the “large agricultural sector of Ukraine” with EU agriculture.

Johannes also believes that the bloc should carry out institutional reforms that are not dependent on the accession of Ukraine and other candidates. At the same time, the European Commissioner calls Ukraine’s accession to the EU before the start of the next seven-year financial program (in 2028) unrealistic.