EU Commission President von der Leyen outlines changes to Ukraine's financial assistance upon EU membership
The European Union (EU) is preparing for a significant budgetary adjustment as the accession of Ukraine to the bloc draws closer. The specific revision clause in the MFF allows for changes in case of a candidate country's accession, and the accession of Ukraine will indeed trigger a revision of the MFF.
The EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 includes €100 billion in support for Ukraine. However, if Ukraine joins the EU before 2034, revising the MFF to accommodate this enlargement would require a formal budgetary revision process.
The process for revising the MFF involves several steps. The European Commission would draft a proposal for revising the MFF to incorporate the financial implications of Ukraine’s accession, such as adjustments to national envelopes, cohesion funds, and external instruments tailored to Ukraine’s needs.
Any revision must be formally approved by both the Council of the EU (representing Member States) and the European Parliament. This ensures democratic legitimacy and consensus among EU members. The current MFF includes a mid-term review mechanism, but significant changes—such as adding a new member state—require formal approvals.
The next MFF aims to simplify funding programmes and increase budgetary flexibility to better respond to emergencies and unexpected needs, which could facilitate quicker adjustments to include new members like Ukraine. Given that the next MFF is being prepared for 2028–2034 with planned structural reforms in budget programmes and greater flexibility, the accession of Ukraine before 2034 would likely prompt a revision proposal by the Commission, examined within this enhanced flexibility framework, but still requiring political negotiation and approval by both Parliament and Council.
Negotiations regarding the phase-in of cohesion payments, agriculture payments, and contributions from Ukraine to the European Union will be a crucial part of the revision process. These negotiations will be based on the size of Ukraine, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
It is worth noting that the total volume of the EU's MFF for 2028-2034 is planned at €2 trillion, an increase from the previous seven-year budget of €1.2 trillion. Defence spending is expected to be one of the top priorities in the EU's upcoming financial planning.
The MFF for 2028-2034 must be adopted by the end of 2027. The accession treaty will determine the phase-in of cohesion payments, agriculture payments, and contributions from Ukraine to the European Union. The accession of Ukraine to the European Union will require negotiations within the accession treaty, and the revision of the MFF will be necessary to accommodate the accession of Ukraine and its financial implications for the European Union.
In summary, the accession of Ukraine to the EU before 2034 would initiate a formal MFF revision process led by the Commission and subject to the approval of the European Parliament and Council, reflecting the budgetary impact and integration needs of the new member. The process involves the European Commission proposing revisions, followed by approval from the Council and the European Parliament, and negotiations on the phase-in of cohesion payments, agriculture payments, and contributions from Ukraine to the European Union. The MFF revision is essential to accommodate the accession of Ukraine and its financial implications for the European Union.
- The accession of Ukraine to the European Union (EU) will necessitate a revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), given that the current MFF is designed for the 2028-2034 period and the accession of Ukraine before 2034 is possible.
- The European Commission will propose revisions to the MFF to account for the financial implications of Ukraine’s accession, such as adjustments to national envelopes, cohesion funds, and external instruments tailored to Ukraine’s needs.
- The revision of the MFF to accommodate Ukraine’s accession will require formal approval by both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, ensuring democratic legitimacy and consensus among EU members.
