BRUSSELS, October 6 — The story begins with a press conference in Brussels following the EU–Moldova Association Summit, where European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos addressed reporters on the future of Ukraine’s path to EU membership. What unfolded was a clear signal from the Commission: two additional negotiating clusters for Ukraine’s accession could open as early as next week during intergovernmental conferences in Luxembourg, contingent on the adoption of amendments to Ukraine’s legislation concerning national minorities by the Verkhovna Rada.
Kos emphasized that EU member states are aware of the parliamentary procedures in Ukraine and urged acceleration of the reform process, noting that after the law’s adoption, member states would need to fast-track the opening of further negotiating clusters. At its heart, the message was one of recognition and urgency.
Kos highlighted that both Ukraine and Moldova are delivering results under difficult circumstances and are among the leaders of the four EU candidate countries. She stressed that Ukraine is a country fighting for its survival while implementing reforms and requires additional funding for its budget and armed forces, asserting that no other country is doing more than Ukraine at that moment.
Kos also mentioned that the proposed path toward European integration for candidate countries, including a model of ‘gradual integration’ offering access to the EU Single Market and research programs prior to full membership, would be detailed in the Enlargement Report scheduled for publication on October 28. She stressed that the European Commission is preparing to offer candidate countries, including Ukraine, unprecedented access to EU programs even before full membership as part of a fundamental overhaul of enlargement policy.
Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro are designated as priority countries for integration ‘roadmaps’ aimed at accelerating closer ties with the EU. Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Vsevolod Chentsov previously stated that Kyiv had fulfilled all conditions for opening the accession negotiating clusters and expected technical negotiations to begin by the end of 2026.
