EU sets cautious accession roadmap for Ukraine, urges faster rule-of-law reforms - Politico
The European Commission is preparing a cautious roadmap for Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, setting targets for progress in seven policy areas in 2027 while avoiding a commitment to a membership date, according to a document obtained by Politico.
The document, part of the Commission's enlargement package scheduled for presentation on November 4, calls on Ukraine to "urgently and significantly step up the pace of the rule of law reforms."
Meeting key requirements in the first half of 2027 would be necessary before negotiations in individual policy areas could be provisionally concluded.
Moldova could advance faster
The roadmap sets considerably more ambitious targets for Moldova, which began its EU accession process alongside Ukraine.
While Ukraine could provisionally complete negotiations in seven policy areas in 2027, Moldova could do so in more than 20, according to the document.
The difference raises the possibility that the two countries' accession processes, which have largely advanced together, could move at different speeds.
Ukraine and Moldova received EU candidate status in June 2022 and formally launched accession negotiations in June 2024.
Seven areas targeted for 2027
For Ukraine, the Commission proposes provisionally completing negotiations on education and culture in the first half of 2027.
Six additional areas are targeted for the second half of the year: intellectual property, employment and social policy, industrial policy, research, external relations, and foreign and security policy.
EU accession negotiations cover 35 policy areas, ranging from agriculture and competition to judicial independence and foreign affairs.
The Commission acknowledges that Ukraine faces exceptional challenges in implementing the required reforms while fighting Russia's war.
Brussels has established a dedicated task force to help Ukrainian authorities advance the process.
No membership deadline
The roadmap does not specify when Ukraine could complete accession negotiations or join the EU.
It describes itself as a "living document" that could be updated if reforms advance faster than expected, potentially allowing Ukraine to conclude negotiations in additional areas ahead of schedule.
The Commission also wants the EU to open Ukraine's two remaining negotiating clusters by the end of 2026.
These cover the green agenda and sustainable connectivity, as well as resources, agriculture and cohesion.
According to the document, the Commission considers Ukraine to have met the necessary conditions for opening those clusters.
Even after negotiations are completed, EU membership would require further steps, including an accession treaty approved and ratified under the bloc's procedures.