To avoid following the example of Hungary: the EU wants to introduce a “probationary period” for new members

The European Union could introduce a “probationary period” for new members that could see countries expelled from the bloc if they backslide on democratic principles, an initiative being discussed by the European Commission amid concerns that future members will follow Hungary’s example.

This is reported by the Financial Times .

The European Commission, spurred by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has resumed the enlargement process after a more than decade-long hiatus. But several European capitals are concerned that Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans could breach the bloc’s rules on democracy, media freedom and judicial independence once they join.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Cos said the commission was considering options for “a transition period, a kind of probationary period or precautionary measures,” but added that these ideas were at an early stage of development.

“We need this discussion, and we should not be afraid of it,” Kos stressed.

The Commission published its annual progress report on candidate countries yesterday, which identified Montenegro as the country with the best progress in implementing reforms. Ukraine and Moldova are also showing progress, but some EU member states are wary of their accession.

The European Commission noted that this position is connected with the experience of cooperation with the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, who has repeatedly opposed sanctions against Russia and military aid to Ukraine. This is what pushes Brussels to create mechanisms that would allow suspending or restricting the rights of member states in case of violation of the fundamental values of the Union.

“Future accession treaties should contain stronger guarantees against deviation from commitments made during accession negotiations,” the report, quoted by the Financial Times, said.

Journalists noted that the new approach could make accession more difficult for candidate countries, in particular Ukraine and Moldova, as the requirements for them would be stricter than for current members of the bloc.

At the same time, Marta Kos stressed that both states will be able to join the EU only after carrying out internal reforms and fulfilling all democratic criteria. She emphasized that EU enlargement has not only political but also security significance for the region.

“We managed to stop Russia at the doorstep,” Kos noted, adding that further delays in enlargement could create risks that “the Russians will enter through the back door.”

As a reminder, the European Union plans to begin the technical part of Ukraine and Moldova’s accession to the bloc despite Hungary’s veto, which is slowing down the progress of the negotiations.

By the way, the European Parliament adopted a resolution setting out a list of requirements for Ukraine in the context of further European integration . The document is based on the European Commission’s assessments for 2023 and 2024, but also takes into account events in mid-2025.

Previously, Ukraine fulfilled all conditions for protecting the rights of national minorities , which paves the way for the start of negotiations on accession to the European Union.

As is known,Ukraine can become a member of the European Union despite the presence of occupied territories, following the example of some states that are already part of the EU.

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