Zelenskyy: Ukraine ‘Confidently Moving Toward’ EU Membership After European Commission Report
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his country is making significant progress toward EU membership, citing a recent European Commission report that highlights Ukraine’s best conditions in three years for EU accession. However, the report also urges faster reform to meet the 2028 target. The Commission praised Ukraine’s resilience and commitment but expressed concerns about maintaining anti-corruption frameworks. Zelenskyy reversed a controversial law that undermined anti-corruption agencies, following public protests and international pressure. The Commission emphasized the need for continued reforms, particularly in the rule of law, to proceed with EU membership negotiations.
Following the Commission’s report, Zelenskyy tweeted that Ukraine is ‘confidently moving toward’ EU membership and ‘ready to open Clusters 1, 2, and 6.’ This assessment, according to the President, demonstrates Ukraine’s continued reform efforts amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. The report, released by the European Commission as part of its 2025 Enlargement Package, provides an update on the status of several candidate countries, with Ukraine showing the most progress in three years. The Commission commended Ukraine’s resilience in the face of Russia’s invasion and its commitment to the EU accession process, although it noted that the country must ensure the independence of its anti-corruption institutions. Zelenskyy has since reversed a controversial law that threatened the independence of key anti-corruption agencies, following widespread public protests and international pressure. The Commission urged Ukraine to maintain these anti-corruption efforts and expand the jurisdiction of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU).
Despite these positive developments, the Commission highlighted the need for accelerated reforms, particularly in the rule of law, to meet the ambitious 2028 target. The Ukrainian government, led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, has signaled its objective to provisionally close accession negotiations by the end of 2028. However, some EU leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, have expressed reservations about Ukraine’s accession, proposing instead a strategic agreement to avoid full membership. Orbán suggested that ‘membership is too much’ and advocated for a more limited partnership. These differing perspectives within the EU underscore the complex political dynamics surrounding Ukraine’s potential accession to the bloc.
As Ukraine continues its reform process, the path to EU membership remains a pivotal goal for the country. The Commission’s report, while optimistic, underscores the challenges that lie ahead, particularly in ensuring the independence of anti-corruption institutions and accelerating reforms. With international support and domestic resolve, Ukraine aims to solidify its position as a key player in European integration. However, the political landscape within the EU, particularly the stance of certain leaders like Orbán, presents an ongoing challenge to the realization of this aspiration.