BERLIN

The EU's enlargement to include Ukraine and Western Balkan countries is important to counter Russia and China's influence, the Swedish prime minister said on Wednesday.

In a keynote speech at Berlin's Hertie School of Governance, Ulf Kristersson said the Ukraine war has been a critical geopolitical turning point for the EU.

“Russia's war against Ukraine has also brought enlargement back on the agenda, although integrating additional countries into the EU will be difficult,” he said.

“The alternative is to give free rein to Russian and Chinese influence … That would be the least desirable outcome both for the EU, and not least, for all the aspiring countries in our neighborhood,” he added.

With Sweden currently holding the bloc's rotating presidency, Kristersson pledged strong support for candidate countries in their efforts to implement reforms needed for the EU accession process.

He also underlined the importance of institutional reforms within the EU to be able to integrate new members.

“When Ukraine and other candidate countries are ready to join the EU, we who are already in the club must be prepared to welcome them,” he said.