The participation of Ukraine to the EU’s administrative space: a silent "rescue" of the nation-state amid Russian invasions

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine for the second time in 8 years. Remarkably, In the wake of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the pressing need for intensified cooperation between EU and its immediate neighbors on the eastern border became apparent: within a week of this invasion, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia all submitted their applications for membership in the European Union (EU). In this context, interactions between EU agencies and networks and Ukraine have evolved significantly. However, little is known on this evolution of transgovernmental cooperation in times of crisis. This paper examines the evolving landscape of Ukrainian participation in EU agencies, and the way both Russian invasions have punctuated transgovernmental interactions. Drawing on comprehensive panel data on third country cooperation with EU decentralized agencies and networks, this paper examines the de jure access and de facto cooperation of Ukraine to EU agencies. We make three claims. First, we argue that cooperation has displayed flexibility in response to Ukraine's evolving needs, aligning with a functionalist approach to integration. Second, our research suggests that conflict has incentivized the European Union to enhance its engagement with Ukraine, pushing for a stronger Ukrainian integration to the European administrative space. Finally, we argue that Ukraine's engagement with EU agencies not only fosters cooperation but also serves as a platform for state-building amid the ongoing conflict.