Ukraine Needs the West, But the West Needs Ukraine Too | Opinion

As Russia escalates its war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian people—our people—are standing strong in the face of Russian aggression.

For months now, Ukrainians have given a new meaning to resilience, but they cannot fight alone. The Ukraine war is a watershed moment in European history, and the pre-war European security system is clearly no longer viable. New approaches are needed, none more so than Ukraine's further integration into the European Union (EU). The future stability of the continent depends on it.

Important steps have already been taken. In June, Ukraine was officially granted EU candidate nation status, countering Moscow's attempts to crush Ukrainian statehood that date back to the end of the Cold War. But Ukraine's European integration needs to evolve and proceed. EU membership must come swiftly. As war rages on, Ukrainians cannot afford to take steps back.

Ukraine's entry into the EU should be accelerated because it is mutually beneficial, serving the interests of both Ukrainians seeking aid and the Western powers granting it. EU membership is a "win-win situation" in every sense of the phrase.

The benefits to Ukraine are clear. By further integrating themselves into Europe's economic system, Ukrainian businesses gain access to a wide range of importers. As one of the world's foremost grain producers, Ukraine is also a leading exporter of agricultural products, accounting for 15 percent of the global corn market, 13 percent of the barley market, and 10 percent of the wheat market. Our country is called a "breadbasket" for a reason, serving as the world's top exporter of sunflower oil and other vital goods.

Increased access to the European market would be a boon to Ukrainian exporters and businesses in ancillary industries. They would be better-positioned to explore available grant opportunities offered by the Ukrainian government, as well as international assistance programs. This includes tapping into potential export opportunities within the EU market by utilizing available support from the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office and Export Credit Agency.

Ukraine's business community needs its government to continue pushing for European entry, completing the harmonization of Ukraine's regulations with EU standards and norms to "eliminate" technical non-tariff barriers. Adopting a pro-market approach, the Ukrainian government should also advocate for the prolongation or elimination of trade barriers that were lifted in June 2022 for a temporary period of one year, initiating a country-wide policy to expand Ukraine's economic complexity and attract EU-based multinational companies to Ukraine.

By strengthening Ukraine's market economy vis-à-vis Europe, the well-being of the Ukrainian people would only improve, as consumers are exposed to more competition, upward mobility, and financial security. Perhaps Ukraine's most important sources of economic strength are its millions of landowners, who can now legally buy and sell land without interference from the government. Such freedom is only enhanced with EU membership.

But Ukraine is not the sole beneficiary of European integration—not by a long shot. The United States and its EU allies also benefit from a stable, integrated Ukraine, which stops being a gray zone of former Russian influence. Clarifying Ukraine's status as a member of the Western world empowers Ukrainians to make more meaningful contributions to Europe's own security and defense policies.

The same goes for economic policy, with trade between Ukraine, the U.S., and the EU expected to grow exponentially while Ukraine has its candidate status—and even more so as a member country. By welcoming Ukraine into the EU, Western powers like the U.S. can foster more valuable trade relationships with Ukraine that increase the flow of agricultural products and other Ukrainian exports to American importers and consumers.

The U.S. and the EU also share common goals when it comes to the reform agenda within Ukraine. Both seek to strengthen the rule of law and establish capable Ukrainian institutions while consolidating the nation's democracy. American support for Ukraine's EU integration can serve as a powerful engine for these reforms, in addition to bolstering the democratic processes on the continent writ large.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is by far the greatest threat to Europe since the Cold War's conclusion. Unless Vladimir Putin is decisively defeated, the consequences for Europe will be grave.

Only by winning today can we pave the way for a new era of European stability and prosperity tomorrow. That is a win for the United States, the European Union, and the resilient people of Ukraine above all others.

Dmytro Lyvch serves as chair and CEO of the Ukraine-based think tank EasyBusiness, where Kate Shapovalenko is head of the think tank department.

The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.