Tensions are rising: the EU called the 2027 deadline for Ukraine’s accession unrealistic

Ukraine’s desire to accelerate its accession to the European Union is intensifying discussions with European partners about the pace of integration. The EU considers Kyiv’s plans for accession by 2027 unrealistic and emphasizes the need for reforms.

This is reported by the Financial Times .

According to journalists, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insists on setting 2027 as the approximate date for Ukraine’s accession to the EU. At the same time, most capitals of European Union countries consider such a date unlikely due to the scale of reforms and the complexity of the bloc’s enlargement process itself.

European officials who participated in the closed-door talks said that the Ukrainian side has recently taken a tougher stance on the pace of accession negotiations. According to them, representatives from Kyiv are criticizing the European Commission for bureaucracy and slow procedures.

Brussels emphasizes that EU membership cannot be a political concession and depends solely on fulfilling the established criteria.

Some EU representatives also believe that Ukraine has inflated expectations regarding the speed of integration. According to the publication’s interlocutors, the process of EU enlargement is based on the implementation of deep reforms, in particular in the areas of the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and the work of state institutions.

The Financial Times notes that Ukraine refuses intermediate formats of integration or “symbolic” rapprochement with the EU. Kyiv insists on full membership without the phased schemes proposed by individual EU states, in particular France and Germany.

According to the publication, some European countries are proposing a model of gradually expanding Ukraine’s access to EU programs and mechanisms as reforms are implemented. At the same time, full accession, according to diplomats, could take at least 10 years in this case.

The article also notes that the EU is paying attention to the slowdown in reforms in Ukraine. These include problems in the field of anti-corruption policy, the rule of law, and delays in adopting necessary legislation.

Brussels acknowledges that Ukraine is under significant pressure due to the war, but emphasizes that the accession process must remain “based on merit” and not political expectations.

Recall that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that Ukraine may have to agree that parts of its territory may remain outside of Kyiv’s control in a future peace agreement with Russia, linking such concessions to the country’s prospects for joining the European Union.

Earlier, European Union leaders at a summit in Cyprus agreed to beginthe first phase of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the bloc . It is expected that negotiations could start in the coming weeks or months.

The day before, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Cos stated that despite the fact that Ukraine is an important partner of the European Union, accession to the bloc by 2027 is impossible .

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