Ukraine hails 'historic step' as EU takes Kyiv closer to membership | Ukraine: The Latest Podcast

Day 621. Today, we bring you the latest updates from Ukraine, discuss the news that Ukraine has been formally recommended for EU membership and we deep-dive into Ukraine’s war time budget.

Contributors:
David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter.
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on Twitter.
Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on Twitter.
Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe Twitter.

With thanks to Yurii Gaidai, Senior Economist at the Centre for Economic Strategy.

Find out more:

[nikolaykosev]

Love the podcast i listen to it every day.

[jimgraham]

UK would be very well advised to get on and build four or five large nuclear power plants, preferably of the very well proven and versatile CANDU design, upgraded to CANDU6.

[zoomout]

Great talk about the economy of Ukraine by Yurii. All the West should pitch in and help out Ukraine during this toughest times! 💙💛

[taralown]

I could listen to economists all day err day, they are just so smart and knowledgeable and I love it.

[JonasWaldmensch]

Daily Love for Ukraine and this Podcast from Germany 💜💐

[davidl.]

It is very encouraging to know that the EU and Canada have increased funding, so much as to surpass the US funding has been surpassed. Together we stand and can easily outspend Russian economy.

[thelukkman]

really appreciated your talk tonight, Jake.. Ukraine needs help to win and we (the West) seem to be falling short..I watched Dr Gustave Gressel tonight on Silicone Curtain and my hopes of Russia being defeated are dwindling .. Always love your positive remarks, optimism and honesty ..

[judgeroybean]

Firstly, I would like to thank David, Francis, Dom, Joe and ALL who produce and take part in this "best of the best" podcasts I don't want to be pessimistic BUT while Bulgaria, Hungary, Turkey and some other countries and it's leaders are in or awaiting for membership of Nato I cannot see Orban NOT VETOING Ukraine, unless it Nato is able to expel Hungary or change the rules to ALLOW Nato to do so and invite Ukraine to take its place.

[Navigator]

This is a wonderful moment. Ukraine has been putting forth tremendous effort. It seems that President Zelenskyy has been a driving force in this effort. Slava Ukraini.. 🇺🇸🌻🇺🇦

[herbertsutherland]

Every dollar spent today to aid Ukraine is worth 5 or more future dollars. So frustrating.

[geraldgeaf]

They can join the State of The Union and become US 51st or is it 52nd state.

As for becoming an EU member, the title says "Historic ...." That is because that chapter is already a HISTORY

[KathysGuess]

Piecemeal support from American government has driven me absolutely crazy and Gray hair

[AS]

The guy saying Slava Ukraine in the intro is so cringe lmao

[miclewis]

Ukraine join the EU ? Ha ha go ahead … I’ll get a box of popcorn this is going to be worth watching 😂

[capoeirastronaut]

If the US is putting 5% of it's military budget to Ukraine, & that's $900 per citizen, then they would have to put in $18k each for the total military budget.

[suzannewman]

Really good interview about Ukraine and its economic needs being maintained, and how this is being accomplished. Sometimes I feel scared for Ukraine as it tried to maintain so many paths to sustainability, while winning a war against this monstous Russian country. Slava Ukraini.

[omarjaved]

This is never going to happen because for one, Ukraine doesn’t meet any of the EU membership criteria (and is the most corrupt European country) and second, the rebuilding would require huge funds to be diverted from current net recipients to Ukraine.
With Germany now facing deindustrialisation and a demographic collapse they will no longer be able to finance the EU, and I rather doubt Poland will be happy to give up their economic growth and go from net recipients to net donors just help Ukraine.
To let Ukraine in will require so much rule bending that it will just accelerate the end of the EU, or at best it becoming a local version of the UN.

[Yawnyaman]

I really don’t think Putin is shaking in his boots

[shauneason]

The long haul war of attrition we face is vital IMHO ;But for what that's worth . In order to avoid or negate any other aggressive ambitions on freedom. Best Prepare to fight for human rights as I hope none are prepared to surrender those rights

[qwikrick]

They can revel in joining a failing union wracked by economic woes and an idiotic war that has ZERO chance of success.