At first blush it sounds like hyperbole, but after reading the article and musing on it I agree for two reasons:

1. Ukraine is the only EU candidate with actual experience in a ground war for survival, and would bring seasoned veterans and tested methodology to international war efforts
2. Fast-tracking an EU candidate that is being actively invaded tells Russia (and future belligerents) that the EU is keeping military interdiction on the table even for current non-members