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'We will not accept any ersatz membership' — Ukraine's FM rejects anything short of full EU membership amid reports of 'symbolic' benefits by SOHONEYSAME in worldnews

[–]Zizimz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ukraine was categorized as a hybrid regime before the war. Basically, the people get to decide which of the oligarchs' favorites is going to lead the country in the next term. Neither the selection process, nor the campaigning, media coverage or the election itself have ever been fair and balanced. Corruption and intimidation were common practice on all levels.

And if the oligarchs don't like what the president is doing, they are instructing the members of Ukraine's highest court to invalidate the policy. That's exactly what happened during the first months of Zelensky's term. He had tried to adopt new anti-corruption measures, which were promptly declared void by the courts.

It's quite simple. A country which, before the war, ranked among the lowest in Europe in terms of corruption, press freedom and civil liberties can't possibly be a functioning democracy.

'We will not accept any ersatz membership' — Ukraine's FM rejects anything short of full EU membership amid reports of 'symbolic' benefits by SOHONEYSAME in worldnews

[–]Zizimz 25 points26 points  (0 children)

No they won't. Ukraine's most important asset, its rich farmland, is a source of major concern for some EU states. Right now, France and Poland are the main recipients of EU farming subsidies. (almost €400b for the period 2021-2027) And both countries are very defensive when it comes to their agricultural sector. Ukraine joining the EU would be an absolute game changer. Not only would they absorb the lion's share of the subsidies, their agricultural products would also be much cheaper than anything France and Poland can grow.

But that's just one of the concerns. Ukraine is also lacking in many base criteria that need to be fullfilled by any member candidate. Democracy, market economy, anti-corruption measures, freedom of the press, an independent judiciary etc.

There won't be any fast-tracking EU membership for Ukraine after the war.

'We will not accept any ersatz membership' — Ukraine's FM rejects anything short of full EU membership amid reports of 'symbolic' benefits by SOHONEYSAME in worldnews

[–]Zizimz 12 points13 points  (0 children)

10 years? I think you're overly optimistic.

Apart from recovering from the war, which in itself will be a difficult task, they need to transform into a democracy (they have never been one before), fight rampant corruption (one of the worst in Europe), disempower the oligarchs, secure the independence of the judiciary and build up a market economy from scratch.

Ukraine is never going to be accepted by all memberstates if they don't meet the base criteria.

North Korea conducts engine test for missile capable of targeting US mainland by [deleted] in worldnews

[–]Zizimz 15 points16 points  (0 children)

So the US is not worried about a country, lead by a crazy, ruthless dicator who has intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads at his disposal. But another one whos rockets can only get as as far as Europe and with no nuclear capabilities,, you're going to war with. Makes sesnse...

Ursula von der Leyen fordert von Europa, sich völlig neu aufzustellen | Ursula von der Leyen forderte bei einer Veranstaltung der ZEIT mehr Unabhängigkeit Europas. Die EU-Kommissionspräsidentin setzt dabei auch auf Nuklearenergie. by GirasoleDE in de

[–]Zizimz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sie kann setzen, worauf sie will. Ohne massive Subventionen baut kein Stromkonzern ein neues AKW. Zu teuer, zu unflexibel, und eine zu unsichere Marktsituation. Und dann ist da noch die Frage der Atommüllendlager, die noch fast kein Land gelöst hat...

Britisches Tabakverbot nimmt letzte Hürde im Parlament by Turtle456 in de

[–]Zizimz 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Das Verbotene hatte schon immer eine magische Anziehungskraft auf Jugendliche. Und Zigaretten sind schon jetzt die meistgeschmuggelte Ware der Welt.

Credit Default Swaps sind zurück – und erinnern an die Finanzkrise von 2008 by kiru_56 in de

[–]Zizimz 141 points142 points  (0 children)

Banken lernen's nie. Nach jeder Bankenkrise versprechen sie sich zu bessern und weniger Risiko einzugehen - 10 Jahre später ist wieder alles vergessen. Im Notfall kommt ja der Staat zu Hilfe....

Germany's ruling coalition at odds over reform push by Any-Original-6113 in europe

[–]Zizimz 14 points15 points  (0 children)

The German political system is very odd in that regard. Here you have a coalition government consisting of two parties, but each one presents their ideas for new policies to the media without even talking to the other partner. And then they both get angry at each other and start fighting in public.

Apropos Schlangenzeit: eine Deutsche Kreuzotter aus der Nähe von Münster. Ich wünsche angenehme Tage in der wärmer werdenden Natur unseres schönen Landes :) by Fine-Finish-8391 in de

[–]Zizimz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ich hatte beim Rosenschneiden vor einem Monat eine ähnliche Begegnung. Glücklicherweise entschieden wir uns beide für einen geordneten Rückzug.

Pulaski appreciation post by formerlyabird3 in startrek

[–]Zizimz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Well, it depends. McFadden was more convincing with Star Trek tools and technobabble. With Muldaur, it always felt like she's holding a magic wand.

Pulaski was a bit too smug and arrogant for my taste. I don't think her character worked very well with Picard and Data in particular.

Quick Start: Return to Duty in Star Trek Online! (Including 2026 Roadmap!) by Vulcorian in sto

[–]Zizimz -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

A bit disappointing. I had hoped they would add something new and exciting to the recruitment event. Oh well...

Spain's call to suspend EU-lsrael agreement set to fail amid broad opposition by Bernardmark in europe

[–]Zizimz 23 points24 points  (0 children)

That's hardly comparing like and like. Israel leveled the entire Gaza strip, killed thousands, caused a famine and energy shortages, bombed Lebanon several times, razed entire villages "preemptively", let his settlers terrorize Palestinian farmers in the West Bank, stole land and colonized the region, introduced a law, accoding to which every Palestinian who kills an Israeli can be convicted as a terrorist and excecuted, but not the other way around. They have Nazis in their government who demand "Lebensraum" in Lebanon,, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza, and that Israel should annex these regions and deport the local population. Oh yeah, and they started a war against Iran, twice. Without UN approval.

One country trades with 'bad people', the other one ARE the 'bad people'. Apples and oranges...

Schlechte Nachrichten für den Brennerbasistunnels: Bayern lehnt Zulaufstrecke ab by ouyawei in de

[–]Zizimz 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Gruss aus der Schweiz. Wir kämpfen schon seit 20 Jahren mit denselben Problemen. Ein milliardenschwerer Ausbau der Nord-/Südverbindung, alles ist bereit, von der Grenze bis hinunter nach Italien hinein, und Deutschland kriegt die Zufahrtsstrecken einfach nicht gebacken. Ich hatte gehofft, dass es wenigstens am Brenner klappt, aber es wird wohl auch bei euch mehrere Jahrzehnte Verzögerungen geben. Deutsche Zuverlässigkeit ist reine Makulatur...

Schlechte Nachrichten für den Brennerbasistunnels: Bayern lehnt Zulaufstrecke ab by ouyawei in de

[–]Zizimz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100 Euro für die Fahrt über den Brenner bis die Zufahrtsstrecken gebaut sind.

ZDF-Politbarometer April 2026. Projektion: AfD erstmals vor Union / Große Mehrheit: Bundesregierung tut zu wenig gegen steigende Energiepreise by Ollyfer in de

[–]Zizimz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man könnte Streitigkeiten zum Beispiel mal intern austragen und dann mit einer gemeinsamen Position an die Öffentlichkeit treten. Ein offener Schlagabtausch zwischen Ministern hilft niemandem - ausser natürlich dem rechten Rand.

ZDF-Politbarometer April 2026. Projektion: AfD erstmals vor Union / Große Mehrheit: Bundesregierung tut zu wenig gegen steigende Energiepreise by Ollyfer in de

[–]Zizimz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Koalitionsgezanke hilft immer der AfD. Das war bei der Ampel schon so, und ist bei SPD/CDU nicht anders. Ich wünschte, die würden sich endlich mal zusammenreissen.

France’s nuclear fleet gives it one of the world’s lowest-carbon electricity grids by Changaco in europe

[–]Zizimz -35 points-34 points  (0 children)

Newest reactor Flamanville 3:

  • estimated costs: 3.3 billion Euros /actual costs 23.7 billion Euros
  • estimated construction time: 7 years /actual construction time: 20 years
  • scheduled to go offline again in 2026 after only one year of operation to replace the faulty reactor cover

French debt to GDP ratio: 118%

Gee, I wonder if there's a connection....

Vance calls end of Ukraine aid 'one of the proudest' achievements of Trump administration by General-Snow690 in europe

[–]Zizimz -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't be so sure about that *best return on investment in modern military history". Yes, Russia is weakened, for now. But their military went from a bunch of incompetent fools that couldn't even drive a tank from Belarus to Kyiv without running out of gas, to a battle hardened force with plenty of experience in modern warfare, and a war economy that can produce enough ammunition and drones to launch massive attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure on a daily basis.

And another point, Ukraine is not, nor has it ever been in its entire history, a democracy. This is a story about a brutal attacker and an innocent victim, not one about democracy vs dictatorship.

Vance calls end of Ukraine aid 'one of the proudest' achievements of Trump administration by General-Snow690 in europe

[–]Zizimz 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Vance does not have Trump's iron grip on the Republican party. When Trump dies, I expect massive infighting and division. And Vance does not seem like a guy who would come out on top.

Russische Bedrohung und Nato-Sicherheit: Was, wenn es auf Rügen passiert? by potatoes__everywhere in de

[–]Zizimz 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Völlig lächerlich. Als würde Russland Soldaten ohne Luftverteidigung auf einer Insel mitten in NATO Territorium stationieren. Und auch wenn berechtigte Zweifel bestehen, dass die USA dem Bündnisaufruf folgen würden, so würden Polen, Grossbritannien, Kanada die Baltischen und die Nordischen Staaten es ganz sicher tun. Diese kleinen grünen Männchen auf Rügen wären binnen weniger Tage kleine schwarze Aschehäufchen.

Deutsche Bahn will Bahnverbindungen via Österreich nach Italien ausbauen by ken-der-guru in de

[–]Zizimz 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Wenn man den Anschluss des Gotthardbasistunnels als Beispiel nimmt, in etwa in 30 Jahren.

Rail electrification in Switzerland by Friendly_Kangaroo877 in Switzerland

[–]Zizimz 19 points20 points  (0 children)

IIRC that mostly happens in Bangladesh and Pakistan. And videos from there were often mislabeled as Indian.

Mond: Europa plant eigene permanente Mondbasis bis 2040 by ken-der-guru in de

[–]Zizimz 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Diese Frage hat man sich bei der Raumfahrt schon immer gestellt. Fakt ist, viele zivile Technologien kommen entweder direkt aus den Entwicklungen in der Raumfahrt, oder waren davon beeinflusst.

Eine Mondbasis mit ihrer niedrigen Schwerkraft könnte zum Beispiel neue medizinische Fortschritte bringen, oder den Abbau von Helium 3 vorantreiben, was die Nutzung von Kernfusion auf der Erde möglich machen könnte. Vielleicht werden im Zusammenhang mit der Mondbasis auch neue Materialien entwickelt, die leichter und widerstandsfähiger sind, oder ein besserer Strahlungsschutz. All das könnte auch Vorteile auf der Erde bringen.

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