And Who Speaks on Behalf of Europe?
By Ákos Péter Mernyei
The amended trade agreement between the European Union and Ukraine has recently entered into force. This raises an important question: does the deal truly represent European interests, or does it mainly serve Ukraine’s needs?
‘The Commission considered Ukraine’s support to be more important than the protests at the national and sectoral level in the Member States and therefore pushed through the amendment to the trade agreement.’
According to Ákos Péter Mernyei, a research fellow at the Europe Strategy Institute of the University of Public Service, the new concessions offered to Ukraine are long-term rather than temporary. Yet, it remains uncertain what practical benefits Europe itself will derive from this new arrangement.
Since the beginning of the Russo–Ukrainian war, daily headlines have focused on EU sanctions against Russia and financial aid to Ukraine. However, trade relations between the two partners receive far less public attention, even though they are crucial for both political and economic stability.
The framework regulating EU–Ukraine trade, though officially intended to shield European economies, has also enabled policies that favor Ukrainian producers, sometimes to the disadvantage of European farmers. These developments suggest an increasing tension between solidarity with Ukraine and the protection of domestic industries across the EU.
The origins of this cooperation go back to the mid-2000s, when early trade partnerships were formed as part of a broader effort to integrate Ukraine more closely into the European market. Over time, these ties have deepened, highlighting the complex balance between political strategy and economic self-interest.
Author’s Summary
The renewed EU–Ukraine trade agreement grants lasting benefits to Ukraine but raises doubts over whether the European Commission adequately defended European economic interests.