The principle of unanimity in decision-making within the European Union hinders Ukraine’s integration and makes Europe vulnerable to political blackmail. This opinion was expressed from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada by Mykola Kniazhytskyi, a Member of Parliament from the “European Solidarity” faction and Co-Chair of the Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with Poland. He called on European partners to review these principles in favor of an effective majority.
In his speech, Kniazhytskyi drew historical parallels – from the Treaty of Hadiach to the Euromaidan. He emphasized that Ukraine’s path toward Europe has consistently faced external resistance, primarily from Russia.
The MP also drew attention to changes in global politics and the crisis within the EU itself. He supported the position of EPP President Manfred Weber, who had previously questioned the effectiveness of the European Union’s unanimity principle. According to Kniazhytskyi, the ability of individual states to block decisions makes Europe a “toy” in the hands of global players. “To survive, Europe must rid itself of such blackmail,” the deputy stressed.
Kniazhytskyi called on the Verkhovna Rada to prepare an official appeal to the European institutions, proposing a change in the approach to decision-making on EU enlargement. Specifically, he suggested transitioning from the principle of unanimity to majority voting, which, in his opinion, would guarantee Ukraine’s membership and strengthen the collective defense of democratic values.