As the war escalated between Russia and Ukraine, a large number of Ukrainian refugees arrived in France, wanting to cross the English Channel to their relatives in Britain.
However, the British government rejected the refugees' requests for entry, requiring them to submit a visa application at the French Embassy before entering the country.
The French government lambasted its former EU counterparts, claiming that Britain's approach was "too inhumane".
It seems that France hopes that the Brexit Britain will leave a good impression on Ukraine, which is eager to join the European Union.
On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially "left the European Union", and the island of Great Britain hung alone in the sea, looking at the European continent across the English Channel.
This year, in order to join the European Union, Ukraine even took the initiative to provoke Russia, which eventually led to the burning of war.
However, EU officials revealed that it is unlikely to give Ukraine status as an EU candidate.
The EU seems to have become a "besieged city": on the one hand, the Desperately Trying to Break Away from England, on the other hand, ukraine, which is squeezing its head and wanting to enter, and the situation between the two is different.
So, why is the UK desperately trying to "leave the EU" and Ukraine is trying to "enter the EU"?
First, Brexit: The root cause is that the CONCEPT between the United Kingdom and the European Union is contrary
After the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War, British Prime Minister Johnson stressed in Parliament:
"British national sovereignty is indivisible, and it is necessary to avoid accidental synchronization with the EU on the Russian-Ukrainian issue."
In fact, johnson's emphasis on sovereignty is precisely the trigger for Britain's "breakup" with the EU.
Although both belong to Europe, the differences between Britain and the countries of the European continent are obvious.
In history, Britain was once a "sunrise empire" and a veritable world power.
In terms of political system, the United Kingdom was the first country to implement a parliamentary system.
Therefore, in britain's view, national sovereignty is to protect Britain's security and maintain Britain's prosperity, and the "small self" is more important.
Continental European countries believe that the true meaning of sovereignty is to achieve the unification of the whole of Europe, and the "big self" is the king.
Therefore, the United Kingdom believes that the EU, a behemoth above the state, will undermine its national sovereignty, while the countries of the European continent believe that the Community will help promote cooperation and development throughout Europe.
Johnson fears that Britain and the EU will be too aligned with each other on Russia and Ukraine precisely because he believes it will "erode national sovereignty."
In the early days of European integration, British Labour leader Richard Attlee argued that the establishment of supranational power in Western Europe was unrealistic, neither common sense nor tradition.
It is no exaggeration to say that this idea has continued from the last century to the present day.
In addition to Johnson's reference to the "indivisibility of national sovereignty", the UK also stressed the supremacy of parliamentary sovereignty.
After the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the British Parliament quickly organized discussions and directly decided to follow in the footsteps of the United States and impose sanctions on Russia.
(Uk and U.S. joint statement on sanctions against Russia)
The EU, on the other hand, made a deliberate decision to follow the United States after an exchange of views and consultations between the leaders of the member states.
This incident reflects the different understandings of the issue of sovereignty between the two, and there are natural differences in concepts between the two.
On the one hand, the Concept of Sovereignty in the British Parliament holds that the power of the British Parliament is supreme and that any law passed by Parliament has the highest force in the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, the principle of "maximum potency" of EU law means that EU law is superior to the domestic legislation of any member state.
In fact, it is relatively common for democratic parliaments to have supreme legislative power, but there are only a few countries like the British parliament that "can pass any law on any issue".
The British Parliament has supreme power at home, making the British parliamentary concept of sovereignty much stronger than in any other European country.
Because of this, after the British joined the European Union, the differences and struggles between the British Parliament and the EU on state power became more and more intense, which eventually led to the "Brexit" of the United Kingdom.
(EU Meeting)
As early as 2011, the British Parliament passed the European Union Act, which not only reaffirms the principle of sovereignty of the British Parliament, but also legally explains that the domestic law of the United Kingdom is greater than the law of the European Union.
Although the European Union Decree formally pronounces the supremacy of the legislative power of the British Parliament, it cannot eradicate the deep-seated contradiction between British domestic law and EU law, and it is more like a move of the British Parliament to regain face and comfort itself.
In practice, English domestic law is subject to EU law at every turn, and EU law has gradually become the norm beyond British domestic law.
This caused strong dissatisfaction among conservative British citizens – the domestic "Brexit" wave grew, and eventually made "Brexit" a reality.
In addition to the difference in concepts, the "principle of self-interested realism" and laissez-faire economic policies pursued by the United Kingdom have made itself and the EU look at each other, and the two sides that are incompatible can only "break up".
Brexit: "Egoistic Realism" and a Laissez-faire Liberal View of Economics
As early as the 19th century, Lord Palmerston of England famously said: "There are no eternal friends and enemies, only eternal interests." ”
(Lord Palmerston)
The principle of realism made British diplomacy flexible and capricious.
As then-British Prime Minister Johnson said at the beginning of this year: "Knowing what to do is often better able to protect their own interests."
From this point of view, the decision to join the EU and leave the EU is not because the UK is like-minded or has broken relations with other member states, but because the UK and the EU have never been in touch with each other.
Britain's "Brexit" is precisely the manifestation of its act of following the principles of realist diplomacy and grabbing practical benefits.
In the 1960s, cooperation between France, Germany and other six countries deepened, which directly led to a great reduction in Britain's ability to intervene in European affairs. In this regard, Britain has to adjust the isolationist policy toward Europe in the form of "watching the fire from the other side".
Opting to join the European Community was a helpless move by the British Empire.
It was very difficult for Britain to bow its noble head and squeeze into the Franco-German-dominated European union system.
However, under the influence of the realist diplomatic style, Britain was unable to resist the two "big fat meats" of low-cost entry into the European single market and the maintenance of European influence.
Therefore, Britain's application to join the European Community is not a manifestation of sacrificing the small self and achieving the greater self, but a choice based entirely on practical interests.
In fact, Britain has always placed its relationship with the United States on a strategic priority, while Britain-EU relations are on the margins.
For Britain, the European continent is like a tasteless and discarded "chicken rib".
Former French President Charles de Gaulle clearly understood Britain's wishful thinking, saying that the British were not sincere in their attitude towards Europe or in policy formulation.
Facts have also proved that when the EU suffers major difficulties, the UK often chooses to seek advantages and avoid harms and evade responsibilities, rather than sharing difficulties and hugging together for warmth.
The "realist principles" pursued by the British make them have no sense of belonging to the EU, the EU is more like a "cash machine" in the eyes of the UK, when the EU's influence is not as good as before and after, "Brexit" seems logical.
Moreover, centuries of entrenched liberalism have shaped Britain's extremely open economic development model, with both the Openness of the British Economy and the Index of Globalization at the world's leading level.
According to the Globalisation Index, published in 2015, the UK ranks 8th in the Economic Openness Index among the 60 largest economies in the world.
(European Debt Crisis)
However, the outbreak of the "European debt crisis" caused the United Kingdom to suffer unusually heavy economic losses, and the United Kingdom faced a major financial crisis.
London, England, has always been the center of the world financial stage, and the outbreak of the "European debt crisis" has hit the integrity index of the British banking industry as a whole.
The risk of bank defaults has increased, and the overseas assets and investments of most British banks have shrunk significantly.
The British financial sector has suffered heavy losses, the United Kingdom is full of doubts and dissatisfaction with the ability of eurozone countries to solve financial problems, and the idea of "Brexit" is deepening.
In addition to the political and economic factors, the deep bondage of nearly 70 million ordinary Britons is the key to promoting Brexit.
Brexit: Island Psychology and "Exceptionalism"
Deep in the heart of the British, there is a deep "island mentality" - the United Kingdom hangs overseas, across the sea from the European continent.
The British, who have lived in the British Isles for a long time, have unconsciously formed an island mentality with insecurity as the core.
Britain's island mentality is heavily influenced by historical factors: on the one hand, Britain has repeatedly been involved in many important wars, including the Anglo-Spanish War, the Anglo-Dutch War, and the First and Second World Wars.
(Location of the UK and continental Europe)
For Britain, war was both an important step in its ascension to the top of world power and the reason for depleting its national strength and forcing it to step down from the altar of power.
On the other hand, the British "island mentality" is also related to the early and late establishment of democracy in European countries.
In the 1940s and 1950s, fascist extremist ideas represented by Germany and Italy ran rampant in Europe.
Hitler and Mussolini's horrific totalitarian rule and policy of exterminating Jews are still fresh in their minds, and the British naturally have prejudices and fears against the countries of continental Europe.
British society is very worried about Britain's assimilation by the "murderous" Continent.
When the Russo-Ukrainian War broke out, the British believed that "the EU may send troops to Ukraine", "the EU's prospects are bleak", and even "remembered the tragic situation of World War II".
The island mentality of British characteristics is also reflected in the economic field, which is embodied in the fact that the United Kingdom has been outside the euro, the unified currency of the European Union.
A 2017 survey showed that a majority of Britons agreed that abandoning the pound would reduce national identity.
Britain's island mentality is the psychological basis of Brexit, and its core is insecurity, which is manifested by the British people's high distrust of the EU.
Under the influence of this island mentality, Britain's interaction with the EU shows a "no-holds-barred" character – it does not want to get too involved in European affairs, and it is not willing to lose its traditional influence on European affairs.
In addition to the island mentality, "Brexit" is also influenced by the exceptionalist European view.
The word "exception" is taken literally, reflecting differences and uniqueness, meaning that "I" possess certain characteristics.
Thus being different from and distinct from "you" who do not possess these characteristics, "you" must be subject to some norms and institutions, while "I" do not need to.
Former British Prime Minister Palmerston said at the end of his speech: "In the past, Romans could avoid being despised by simply saying 'I am a Roman.'" The British, too, feel confident wherever they are, and Britain's care and strength will keep The British from being blamed. ”
(British people celebrating Brexit)
The idea of exceptionalism, with pride at its core, profoundly influenced Britain's interaction with the Community, leading to a often mercenary role in the Community – it took advantage of its noble status to enjoy preferential and special policies in the EU.
Britain's refusal to use the euro is not only the result of the psychological effects of the island nation, but also the ideal of exceptionalism – that the pound needs to be different.
The concept of exceptionalism can be said to be an important reason for Brexit.
In the context of the current era, this sense of pride and conceit is mixed with a mixture of "empire complexes." ”
This made the United Kingdom unconsciously carry a "superior" posture in the process of viewing and handling European affairs, and eventually led to the deepening of contradictions between the two sides and the "Brexit" of the United Kingdom.
Britain desperately escaped from the European Union, so why is Ukraine desperately trying to join the European Union?
Ukraine's accession to the Eu: All nuclear weapons have been destroyed, and the defense benefits of European integration are many
In the early 1990s, after independence, Ukraine announced that it would embark on the road to return to Europe.
It is hoped that through the platform of the European Union, it will join the family of Western civilization and get the protection of Europe, gain the power of civilization and thus get rid of Russia's control.
Ukraine's first president, Kravchuk, adopted a pro-Western policy of alienating Russia, talking about "Ukraine is the new European country of the future, and Ukraine should become a country with equal rights in the European family."
In order to integrate into the West, Ukraine has not hesitated to abolish its own martial arts – signing the Agreement on the Dismantling of Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine, promising to eliminate all nuclear weapons within seven years.
(Ukrainian self-destruction weapons)
Since then, the EU has dispelled security concerns and begun to pay attention to the process of Ukraine's westward expansion.
Ukraine has shown great interest in the EU's European defense integration, and for Ukraine, as long as it can successfully join the EU.
It will obtain sufficient military protection, and it will also be able to use the integration of European defense to develop the defense industry and obtain economic benefits.
In its St. Malo's Statement, the EU clearly stated that Europe's autonomous defence system must include "a strong and competitive European defence industry and scientific and technological base."
The level of Europe's defense industry not only determines the upper limit of Europe's independent defense capacity building, but also the key for EU member states to get rid of their military dependence on NATO and the United States.
This is important for Ukraine, where the defense industry is deteriorating.
In addition, the reform and upgrading of the European defense industry will bring considerable economic benefits to its member countries.
The defense industry is an important driving force for a country's economic development, and European military industrial enterprises occupy a place in the global market with outstanding scientific research advantages.
The latest edition of statistics shows that 29 of the world's top 100 military companies are on the list.
As a high-tech value-added industrial field, the national defense industry has an extremely impressive profit margin and is an important economic issue in the eyes of the government.
According to research data from the European Defence Agency, the EU's defence industry spending is cut by 100 million euros.
The EU GDP will be reduced by 150 million euros, taxes will be reduced by 40 million euros, and social jobs in member states will be reduced by 2,870.
So, for Ukraine, joining the EU would not only grant military asylum, but also share Europe's booming economy with other member states.
The EU is also committed to building a common military, which means that the EU can efficiently allocate defense resources and leverage the strengths of each member through a common army and a unified defense budget.
Moreover, once the EU establishes a unified military equipment procurement bureau, Europe will become an important buyer in the global defense industry market.
We can rely on the arms procurement contract in our hands to obtain greater game power and market discourse power.
Ukraine's position will also rise with the strength of the European Union.
In addition, the current EU defense R&D cooperation is at a low level, and the large gap in cooperation means that member states have the potential to achieve mutual benefit through cooperation.
Ukraine was once the Soviet Union's ammunition depot and had a large military talent, which could be used to revive the economy by joining the European Union.
(Ukrainian view)
Whether it is the coordinated complementarity of military capabilities or the specialized production of the defense industry, every small step of deepening cooperation between member states means huge economic benefits.
However, it is not enough to rely solely on European defense integration to improve economic efficiency, and the EU free trade area strategy with deep economic potential is extremely tempting for Ukraine.
Ukraine's accession to the EU: Domestic politicians are embarrassed by their responsibilities, and the EU free trade area strategy helps the economy
After independence, Ukraine, on the one hand, interrupted its economic ties with the Soviet republics, and on the other hand, it was in the midst of the replacement of the old and new institutions, and the national economy fell into an unprecedented crisis.
The construction of a market economic system, the reconstruction of the national economic system and the adjustment of the economic structure are the main tasks facing Ukraine.
Although the basic framework of the market was established according to the Western model, Ukraine's economic transformation was not successful.
After more than 30 years of independence, the economy has not yet returned to pre-1990 levels.
This has led to voter distrust and radicalization of government institutions. In the past few years, not a single politician in Ukraine has struck a positive balance between trust and mistrust.
And, according to a study by the Democracy Initiative Foundation, only a quarter of Ukrainians say they trust the people who run their country.
The people of western Ukraine are eager to join the European Union and accept the control of the advanced civilization of the West.
The Ministry of Western Ukraine, historically belonging to the "Catholic circle", is naturally familiar and close to Western civilization.
The EU also considers Ukraine to be a near-water building, geographically in line with the EU's eastward expansion requirements, and a large number of people in its territory who welcome and accept Western civilization.
The EU Summit adopted the EU Common Policy towards Ukraine to clarify the EU's policy towards Ukraine.
It is believed that Eu-Ukraine relations play a pivotal role in Europe's peace and prosperity and will help Ukraine achieve a democratic transition.
The EU is very keen to include Ukraine in the Catholic cultural circle, thus preventing the influence of Moscow-centered civilization and completely stripping the Orthodox world.
In order to win Ukraine politically, the EU decided to first capture ukraine's heart economically.
At the beginning of Ukraine's independence, the European Union provided Ukraine with 300 million real money and silver dollars to help Ukraine reform its economic system.
During Yushchenko's administration, Ukraine's foreign policy was completely "one-sided" toward the West, and it was more active in joining the European Union.
The "three-step" strategy of joining the EU was formulated and positively responded to by the EU.
Since then, the EU has unveiled a new global trade war – the EU will negotiate bilaterally with countries with large potential markets to boost economic development in all member states.
This policy will aim to promote eu jobs, improve consumer welfare and economic growth services.
Ukraine, with a weak economy, covets this strategy and desperately wants to be one of them.
In addition, the EU's ability to manage financial risks is also difficult for Ukraine alone to achieve.
Joining the EU means that member states share the risk, and the biggest affected countries are naturally Germany and France.
Ukraine, by contrast, will suffer very little.
If the impact is too severe, Ukraine can even take money directly from the big countries such as Germany and France, which is the EU's aid policy.
In 2016, the EUROPEAN Union launched an enhanced version of the "Eastern Partnership" plan to support Ukraine's political and economic reforms in accordance with EU standards, promote the establishment of a free trade area with Ukraine, and expand cooperation in financial assistance to Ukraine.
Ukraine's heart has already flown to the EU, so it is not surprising that it is necessary to squeeze its head and join the EU.
epilogue:
Britain is a democracy with a constitutional monarchy, and its political system, diplomatic style and mainstream political ideology have their distinctive characteristics.
On the one hand, the United Kingdom is a parliamentary country, and the supremacy of parliament in the British political system is unquestionable, and parliament is both the highest legislative body in the United Kingdom and the actual power to change the government.
It can be said that parliament is the foundation of British power, and the concept of parliamentary sovereignty is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Britain, on the other hand, has long pursued the principles of realist diplomacy in its foreign policy and is heavily influenced by liberalism in its internal affairs.
The realist diplomatic style shows that Britain's "Brexit" is "drunkard's intention is not to drink". It may be just for the sake of grabbing practical benefits.
The United Kingdom attaches great importance to the protection of the free economy and free markets, and the EU's policy of strengthening fiscal supervision of member states after the "European Debt Crisis" undoubtedly violates the principles of trade freedom and fiscal freedom that the United Kingdom has always adhered to.
This all shows, directly or indirectly, that the UK is not actually a hardcore partner of the EU, but more like a desperate speculator and a refined egoist.
In the end, Britain left the European Union through a referendum and stayed away from the "siege".
Ukraine outside the "siege" faced a deep crisis at the beginning of its independence.
While Western Ukraine wants to achieve Ukrainian-European economic integration through the establishment of the Ukraine-EU Free Trade Area, which will eventually lead to Ukraine's accession to the European Union, Eastern Ukraine is wary of Economic Integration between Ukraine and Europe, fearing economic losses, political repression and linguistic and cultural discrimination.
In less than 30 years since Ukraine's independence, more than 20 prime ministers have rotated the government, and the government is inefficient and changeable.
Corruption is rampant, and it is difficult for the investment environment to improve.
After The independence of Ukraine, the political and economic power of the country was in the hands of a few oligarchs.
Oligarchs have manipulated parliamentary and presidential elections behind the scenes or run directly in elections, and top-down corruption has reached unprecedented levels.
The lack of a clear domestic and foreign policy, and the changing course of the political elite.
Ukraine has become accustomed to relying on external forces to intervene in the country's internal affairs, and Ukraine hopes to join the European Union and stabilize the political situation.
For Ukraine, joining the EU seems to usher in a "sea and sky", but the current situation shows that the EU has "rebelled" and has no intention of accepting Ukraine.
For a time, Ukraine was abandoned by Europe and the United States, and it was trapped in the quagmire of war, in a dilemma, and full of embarrassment.
Resources:
"Analysis of the Causes and Effects of Brexit from the Perspective of Political Culture" Zou Jiming, School of English Language and Culture, Jiageng College, Xiamen University
"Brexit: Breaking the game but not the end" Wang Chutian Guangming Daily
"National Identity, Domestic Politics and Geopolitical Game: An Analysis of Ukraine's Regional Integration Policy" Wang Zhi, Institute of Regional and Country Studies Chinese, Xi'an University of Foreign Studies, Xi'an University of Foreign Studies
"Foreign media: EU officials reveal that it is unlikely to grant Ukraine candidate status" China News Network