Britain and the US want the EU to expand so that more money can be poured into helping Ukraine fight Russia, it has been claimed.
The two countries are said to be “invested” in the EU’s expansion into the east to bolster up power against Russia.
London and Washington are putting pressure on the bloc to grant Ukraine membership, a source told the Telegraph.
The EU has said it will allow Ukraine to become a full member within seven years.
Alongside the inclusion of Ukraine, the Western Balkans will also gain membership.
A European diplomatic source said Washington was “deeply involved” in the debate surrounding Ukraine’s EU membership status, after its aid to Ukraine was reduced.
Officials from the UK have also privately expressed support for the accession of Ukraine, however cannot be too vocal about it due to Brexit.
EU membership will be the base case scenario should the offensive stall,” the source said.
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“Without the conflict being resolved, the absence of clear borders will impact speedy progress on Nato membership.
“Focus will therefore increasingly be on the EU track and Brussels knows this.”
Ukraine hopes to start its formal membership talks in December. When it has successfully ascended, it would become the poorest EU member.
There is debate within Brussels if the EU can afford to bring in nine new countries.
EU leaders debated enlargement this week in Granada, Spain.
To accommodate the new members, the bloc’s budget would have to skyrocket to £1.27trillion.
EU leaders debated enlargement this week in Granada, Spain.
REUTERSExisting EU countries would have to pay more money into the bloc to ease the pressure on Brussels.
London and Washington believe that with the EU taking the responsibility for Ukraine’s finances, it will encourage businesses to begin investing in the war-torn country, whilst taking away the burden of paying for Ukraine’s war efforts themselves.
However, an EU diplomat warned: “If London thinks the EU member states can finance this on the back of a Brussels beer mat they are deeply mistaken.”
The accession of Ukraine has triggered a wider debate over a recent overhaul of the EU’s decision-making processes.
Member states are in the middle of a power struggle, with leaders disputing over how much power each country has within the EU.
