Croatia incensed with Ukraine being closer to EU membership than West Balkan states

Speaking during a joint appearance with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Milanovic claimed that European officials have developed a fixation on Ukraine. 

“It seems that these individuals are almost obsessed with Ukraine—as if it were their way to stay in power,” he said.

Milanovic noted that “Ukraine is a nation at war, with undefined borders and unable to finance itself. To say that Ukraine is closer to EU membership than Montenegro or North Macedonia is not only unjust but inhumane.”

Radev, meanwhile, warned that prioritizing Ukraine for geopolitical reasons without first implementing necessary reforms “will not send a positive signal to Western Balkan countries.”

Their comments came as EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said on July 9 that the EU’s membership process is “not a race” among candidate nations but rather a matter of meeting established criteria and demonstrating political will. She said she was convinced that Ukraine will become a full EU member by 2030.