The European Commission published its annual enlargement report on 4 November, confirming Ukraine's progress towards membership. According to Brussels, the country has met the necessary conditions for opening all remaining negotiating clusters. At the same time, the Commission called on the Ukrainian authorities to accelerate judicial system and anti-corruption legislation reforms.
This was stated in an official European Commission announcement released as part of the 2026 EU enlargement package.
Ukraine was among the four countries that the European Commission considers the most advanced candidates for EU accession. Moldova, Montenegro and Albania were also included in this group. For all four states, Brussels introduced indicative roadmaps for further negotiations for the first time.
Over the past year, Ukraine has opened four of the six negotiating clusters. The Commission believes the remaining two could be opened before the end of 2026. However, this requires a corresponding decision by EU Member States.
European Commission notes Ukraine's progress in economy and energy
According to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the new report improved the assessment of the country's readiness for EU membership in nine negotiating chapters. This is more than double last year's result.
Good or very good progress was recorded in ten chapters, including energy, digitalisation, financial services, taxation, education, science, agriculture and customs.
The area of foreign policy, security and defence received the highest progress assessment for the first time. The European Commission particularly noted Ukraine's contribution to ensuring common European security.
The work of specialised anti-corruption bodies was also positively assessed. The report states that the relevant institutions generally continue to operate independently and effectively.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhii Koretskyi said that no deterioration in the country's readiness for EU membership was recorded in any negotiating chapter.
Judicial and anti-corruption reforms remain key conditions
Despite positive assessments, the European Commission pointed out the need to accelerate reforms related to the rule of law, functioning of democratic institutions and public administration.
Particular attention was paid to meeting interim benchmarks in the rule of law area. Their achievement is necessary for moving to the next stages of negotiations and the provisional closure of relevant chapters.
Brussels also expects implementation of judicial reform and public administration roadmaps, as well as the action plan for the protection of national minorities.
To accelerate this work, Ukraine and the European Commission set up a joint working group. Kyiv's next goal is to receive a positive interim assessment of meeting benchmarks in early 2027.
Ukraine aims to complete negotiations by the end of 2028
The European Commission confirmed support for Ukraine's aspiration to complete EU accession negotiations by the end of 2028. However, Brussels stressed that achieving this goal requires a significant acceleration of reforms.
The presented roadmap provides indicative stages of the negotiation process. According to the Commission's preliminary assessment, at the current pace Ukraine could complete negotiations on seven of the 33 thematic chapters during 2027.
However, this timeframe is not a guaranteed date for Ukraine's accession to the EU. Even after the negotiations are completed, an accession treaty will need to be agreed and ratified in accordance with EU procedures.
Thus, the new report confirms Ukraine's readiness to open the remaining negotiating areas, but further integration speed will depend on the implementation of reforms and decisions by EU Member States.
Based on materials from: European Commission, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, European Pravda.
