Plus, the simple fact is none of us are frontline states — yet.
We shouldn’t be stealing valor from those actually doing the fighting. Ukraine is the only real frontline country, and if Putin isn’t stopped there, there’s a strong possibility he’ll continue elsewhere — though probably not in any of the four countries that just claimed the “frontline” label. In fact, according to the most reliable assessments, my country is much more likely to become a frontline state than, say, Hungary.
So, I would like to express my strong solidarity with the plight of the unbombed farmers of Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. I wish to help protect their businesses from failure. My interests are aligned with theirs. We face the same enemy. And I don’t want to see them regret prioritizing short-term revenue over medium-term existence.
To me, it simply makes more sense for farmers — and for everybody else — if Ukraine is welcomed into the EU and treated as a friend and equal, not shunned as an outsider.
Farmers are, understandably, demanding safeguards and compensation, so they can ensure a smooth transition to a mutually beneficial outcome. And I wholeheartedly agree this is what should happen. However — and I’m sure the Commission knows this — the efficient and fair way to achieve that is by accepting Ukraine as a full EU member.
In addition to providing a ready-made negotiation framework, wouldn’t it be a huge national security advantage to have Ukraine fully integrated and on our side? Don’t Eastern Europe’s farmers want the closest possible alliance with the country that is keeping the Muscovites off their land? Should they not, perhaps, consider asking their governments to accelerate accession talks and send more ammo?
Bringing Ukraine into the fold doesn’t mean bringing the war closer, it means pushing the EU’s weight and financial power eastward to the actual front line, supporting those defending our dams from being detonated, keeping the horrors of war as far from us as possible, and helping ensure none of the eastern flank countries become frontline states.
If the unbombed farmers of Eastern Europe choose to argue for a weaker Ukraine, they’re in danger of becoming turkeys voting for Christmas.
