On April 16, in an interview with YouTube channel Superpozitsiya, congressman Alexey Kucherenko said that Ukraine is not currently qualified to accept the economic rules of the European Union (EU).
The focus of the issue lies in adjusting tariffs and public service prices. According to Mr. Kucherenko, joining the EU means that the domestic energy market must merge into the European common market. At that time, electricity and gas prices in Ukraine will have to be adjusted to be equivalent to the regional average, instead of being maintained at the current low level.
When our energy market merges with Europe, their prices will apply to us both legally and practically," Mr. Kucherenko analyzed. He noted that Ukraine's current energy efficiency is low, making it difficult for both the micro and macro economies to adapt to the new price mechanism. He advised people to assess based on their actual income and solvency before supporting this roadmap.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aims to prepare technically to join the EU in 2027, EU leaders remain cautious.
At the Munich Security Conference held from February 13-15, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas also confirmed that member states have not yet been able to set a specific time for the admission of Ukraine. Although the European Commission has proposed starting negotiations from 2024, the plan still faces major obstacles due to opposition from Hungary and concerns about economic compatibility.
This reality shows that Ukraine's integration process is not only about legal reforms but also depends on the economy's ability to withstand the strict market standards of the EU. The transition from a subsidy mechanism to free market prices remains a major challenge for Kiev in the coming years.
