Denmark: EU membership alone won't secure Ukraine's future

WISE NEWS PRESS / BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — DECEMBER 18, 2025

Danish Europe Minister Marie Bjerre stated that European Union membership is "undoubtedly" a key component of Ukraine's future, but warned that it cannot be the sole security guarantee for the country in an exclusive interview with Euronews.

The minister’s comments come as US-mediated peace talks reportedly suggest an accelerated timeline for Ukraine’s EU accession as early as January 2027. However, Bjerre expressed skepticism regarding this artificial calendar, emphasizing that the accession process must remain strictly merit-based and independent of external geopolitical pressures.

Merit-based approach over rapid timelines

Addressing the rumors of an accelerated 2027 entry, Bjerre noted that the EU has never set fixed dates for candidate countries like Ukraine, Moldova, or the Western Balkans. "We won't lower the bar; we will help them reach it," the minister said, highlighting the necessity for deep reforms in anti-corruption and the rule of law. She insisted that while the EU desires Ukraine's integration, the block will not bypass its fundamental standards under pressure from across the Atlantic.

Overcoming the Hungarian hurdle

Despite consistent opposition from Hungary, the Danish Presidency of the EU Council has focused on maintaining the momentum of the enlargement process. Bjerre expressed pride in a newly established technical approach that allows negotiations to continue informally despite Budapest's veto. According to Bjerre, Ukraine's progress in defense integration and internal reforms will eventually make it impossible for individual member states to block the process indefinitely. She concluded that an integrated defense structure with Ukraine would significantly bolster European security as a whole.

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