Ukraine's European integration is no longer defined by political declarations. It is increasingly a question of fiscal capacity. In the context of Russia's war, a deep budget deficit and large-scale external support, public finances have become a key indicator of whether the country is ready to operate under EU rules.
Ukraine's post-war recovery is already shaping up to be the largest publicly financed reconstruction effort in Europe in decades. For the EU, this makes not only the volume of assistance important, but also how effectively and transparently these funds are used.
