自美国削减军事援助以来，欧洲通过增加对乌克兰的资金和军事支持填补了这一空白。这种援助促使俄罗斯在战场上遭受了重大损失，并促使部分欧洲领导人考虑与弗拉基米尔·普京进行直接对话。

然而，乌克兰融入西方的进程仍然复杂；在其成为欧盟候选国四年后，欧盟本月将开启首个谈判“板块”。尽管基辅希望最早于明年加入欧盟，但欧盟内部的乐观人士估计这一过程至少需要十年。

为了维护自身边界安全并利用乌克兰先进的国防技术，欧洲必须加速其入盟进程，而不是将乌克兰视为慈善对象。通过准成员国身份或欧洲安全理事会等形式来固化这一安全伙伴关系，对于防止年轻的乌克兰人对欧盟产生厌倦情绪至关重要。

Since the United States reduced its military aid, Europe has filled the breach by increasing financial and military support to Ukraine. This assistance has contributed to significant Russian battlefield losses, prompting some European leaders to consider direct talks with Vladimir Putin.

However, Ukraine's integration into the West remains complex; four years after Ukraine became an EU candidate, the union is opening its first negotiating cluster this month. While Kyiv hopes for full EU membership as early as next year, European enthusiasts estimate it will take at least a decade.

To secure its own borders and leverage Ukraine's advanced defense technology, Europe must accelerate the accession process rather than treat Ukraine as a charity case. Formalizing this security partnership, perhaps via associate membership or a European Security Council, is crucial to prevent young Ukrainians from souring on the union.

Source: Ukraine is not a charity case

Subtitle: Europe needs its help just as badly as the other way round

Dateline: June 4th 2026