Ukraine's EU Path: Formal Progress, but Reforms Stalled in Parliament
Ukraine's government keeps moving toward European Union membership, but reforms on which both accession and Western funding depend are stuck in the Verkhovna Rada. According to Ukrainska Pravda's sources, the key question is whether the ruling elite will give up political control over law enforcement.
Ukraine's government, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, has continued talks with Brussels since applying for European Union (EU) membership in 2022. Ukrainska Pravda, a Ukrainian news outlet, reports that over the past year domestic politics has slowed the reforms the EU requires, and it examines whether Kyiv is truly prepared for the conditions attached to membership and funding.
Negotiating clusters and relations with Hungary
In autumn 2026 Ukraine is close to a significant formal milestone: some accession negotiation clusters have already been opened, and diplomatic sources say others will follow soon. Kyiv has reached an understanding with Hungary, which had previously blocked the talks and is now led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar. Relations with Poland, however, have become strained.
Opening the clusters is not the end of the process. After that, as sources in the parliament's leadership put it, progress will depend solely on Ukraine's ability to meet its commitments.
Demands and the "Kachka–Kos plan"
The EU increasingly links accession talks, domestic reforms and financial aid. Brussels has aligned part of its demands with the International Monetary Fund. The informal 10-point plan centres on how heads of law enforcement bodies are appointed and on strengthening the independence of anti-corruption agencies. A member of the president's team said a selection commission cannot limit the president's constitutional right to make appointments. In the European Commission's latest report, Ukraine reportedly fell behind even Moldova.
Ukraine Facility funding
The EU's Ukraine Facility programme provides money in exchange for agreed reforms, but many of the decisions are stuck in the Rada. The funds have not been lost so far; payments are being postponed. The final deadline for a payment request is the second quarter of 2027. If the required laws do not take effect by June, the money will be forfeited.
The idea of "advance accession" to the EU as part of a peace deal has no legal model yet, and the EU is not ready to discuss it.
