Nearly three quarters of Ukrainians support carrying out reforms as a condition for joining the European Union, according to a poll by Info Sapiens for the New Europe Center published in January 2023.
Reforms first
According to the survey, 73% of respondents said it was right that the EU had made reforms a precondition for opening accession negotiations. Some 47% said reforms served Ukraine’s own interests and that the EU should demand them as quickly as possible.
About 60% supported EU pressure on Ukraine to fight corruption. A majority, 59%, preferred that laws be carefully prepared and debated even if it took longer, while 36% favoured fast adoption.
Expectations
Some 62% believed accession talks could begin before the war ends. More than half, 55%, expected Ukraine to join the EU within one to five years, while 27% thought membership would come as soon as the war ends.
Methodology
The poll surveyed 1,553 adults by telephone between December 16 and 25, 2022, with a margin of error of no more than 3.1%. It did not include occupied territories without Ukrainian mobile coverage and underrepresents Ukrainians who have left the country.
Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in June 2022, with the EU setting seven reform conditions, including on the rule of law and anti-corruption, before accession talks can open.
Sources
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