Dutch Advisory Council says Ukraine should become EU member as soon as possible

Ukraine should be admitted to the European Union as soon as possible after its war with Russia ends, with an accession treaty completed within one year of a cease-fire, the Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV), a senior Dutch foreign policy advisory body, said. The recommendation was released on Monday morning as EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova resume after a long delay caused by Hungary’s objections. The negotiations involve discussions between the European Union and candidate countries on whether they meet membership requirements and how they would align their laws, institutions, and policies with EU standards before joining the bloc.

When it comes to Ukraine joining the EU, the AIV urges the Netherlands to take “more involvement and leadership” in EU enlargement, arguing the country would benefit from it. The council went further than the Dutch government by proposing that, after a cease-fire, an EU accession treaty for Ukraine should be ready within one year.

The government has taken a more reserved stance on that pace. Last week, Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen (CDA) told parliament that the Cabinet is “cautious with regard to scenarios based on the assumption that it is possible to meet all conditions in the very short term.”

The AIV also argued that the risks of delaying EU expansion may outweigh the risks of moving forward. AIV chair Bert Koenders said, “The discussion about EU enlargement often focuses on the risks of enlargement. The AIV finds that the risks of stagnation may ultimately be greater.”

The advisory council also supported elements of a proposal by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for an “associated membership” model for Ukraine. Under that concept, Ukraine would be able to participate in meetings of European leaders, ministers, and the European Parliament before full membership, but without voting rights.

The Dutch government has also indicated openness to earlier integration steps. Berendsen said, “If necessary, the Cabinet is open to examining possible phased accession for Ukraine.” However, he stressed that the Copenhagen criteria, the formal requirements for EU membership, remain decisive.

The policy memo was produced prior to a fresh round of attacks in which at least nine people were killed in a wave of Russian strikes across Ukraine that set fire to the Dormition Cathedral, part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra UNESCO World Heritage site. Four people were killed in the capital, while five rescue workers died responding to a blaze caused by a strike in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine.

The attacks from Sunday evening into Monday morning also wounded at least 23 people in Kyiv and five in Kharkiv. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, more than 70 missiles and 611 drones were launched overnight by Russia, striking residential areas and energy infrastructure and leaving more than 140,000 people in Kyiv without electricity.