Ukraine hopes to open all negotiation clusters with the EU by the end of the year

Ukraine hopes to open the remaining negotiation clusters in the process of joining the European Union by the end of 2026. Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky discussed this issue during a telephone conversation with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

According to Koretsky, the parties discussed in detail Ukraine's progress in the negotiation process. The government, together with the Verkhovna Rada, intends to accelerate the review and adoption of bills necessary to fulfill obligations in the field of European integration and within the Ukraine Facility program.

A separate topic of the conversation was financing for Ukraine in 2026–2027. Koretsky emphasized that Kyiv needs to work out solutions now that will ensure resources for budgetary and defense expenditures during this period.

"We count on the opening of the remaining negotiation clusters before the end of the year," the Prime Minister said.

Koretsky also thanked Kos for her consistent support of Ukraine's European course. The EU Commissioner, for her part, has repeatedly stated that Ukraine has fulfilled the technical conditions for further progress in the negotiations, and the remaining clusters can be opened after the necessary decisions of EU countries.

Currently, Ukraine has officially opened two of the six negotiation clusters. On June 15, the EU began negotiations on cluster 1 "Fundamentals", which includes the rule of law, democratic institutions, public administration reform, and fundamental rights.

On July 14, cluster 6 "External Relations", covering foreign policy, security, and defense, was opened. After that, four clusters remain unopened. The European Commission has stated that Ukraine is technically ready for their launch.

The negotiation clusters unite 33 chapters of EU legislation that a candidate country must bring into line with European standards. Opening all clusters does not mean automatic accession to the EU: negotiations on each of the areas must be completed, and the final decision on membership requires the consent of all EU states.

Based on materials from: Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Serhiy Koretsky, Marta Kos