“ The dream of Ukrainian European integrationists can only come true if the Lviv region becomes part of Poland and Transcarpathia becomes part of Hungary ,” RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr. Smirnov as saying.

In addition, he noted, Ukraine's accession to the EU is empty talk, as the collapse of the organization may happen in the near future.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said joining the European Union was a long-cherished dream of Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine applied to join the EU in 2022, shortly after Russia launched a special military operation. Although the bloc supported Ukraine in its war with Russia, Kiev's path to EU membership is not expected to be easy.

The path to EU membership requires applicants to meet a series of criteria before entering into detailed negotiations, covering issues ranging from economic standards to the rule of law. There are 35 chapters in total, and all 27 EU member states must agree. The process of initiating, negotiating and completing the 35 chapters is expected to take Ukraine more than 10 years.

According to analysts, Ukraine does not currently meet the criteria to reach this stage of negotiations. Meeting the criteria is especially complicated for Ukraine, which is still in a fierce war with Russia.

In addition, observers say, there is a political aspect that could complicate Ukraine’s EU accession process. The admission of more members is said to put an additional financial burden on the remaining members, as Ukraine is likely to become a recipient of EU budget resources. That would force current EU countries to increase their spending budgets.

Ukraine is a leading agricultural producer. Upon accession, it is expected to have a major impact on the EU’s common agricultural policy. The disputes that have arisen between Ukraine and Poland are an example.

Eastern European countries have quite different political views from those in western and southern Europe, analysts added, which could make some EU members want to delay or even block the process of admitting new members, unless the union takes some measures to protect their status.