Ukraine's EU Path Has No Shortcuts, Says Analyst, Despite War Not Being Obstacle

A frozen war conflict does not prevent European Union membership, according to analyst Radovan Geist, who points to Cyprus as precedent for joining the EU with occupied territory. Geist's comments address Ukraine's ongoing bid for EU membership while fighting continues with Russia. Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 despite the northern third of the island being controlled by Turkish forces since 1974, establishing that territorial disputes need not block accession. However, Geist emphasized that there are no shortcuts to Brussels for Ukraine, suggesting the country must still meet all standard membership requirements regardless of its wartime circumstances.