European Commission supports start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to EU - Ukraine's PM

He made the statement on Telegram.

"The EC's conclusion states that Ukraine continues its systematic efforts to join the EU and has completed all 4 additional reform steps. Now we expect our European partners to take the next step - to start negotiations on EU membership this month,” the Prime Minister said.

He also thanked the Commission for its positive assessment of Ukraine's European integration progress.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported the information, citing three of its own sources.

It noted that the European Commission insists on starting official talks with Ukraine and Moldova in June “to give both countries a positive signal about their aspirations for the EU.”

Instead, the European Commission will announce its decision on the recommendation to start negotiations on June 7. Georgia, which adopted the law on “foreign agents” despite Brussels' warnings, will not receive the green light.

“Brussels' recommendation requires unanimity from EU governments, and Hungary is expected to raise objections, citing issues such as Kyiv's treatment of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine,” the statement said. 

On July 1, Hungary will move to the EU presidency, which will give it additional leverage to set the agenda for meetings that discuss issues related to Ukraine.

Ukraine's accession to the EU: what is known

Kyiv applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, at the start of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine.

On June 23, 2022, Ukraine was granted candidate status for EU membership.

On November 8, 2023, the European Commission recommended starting the process of negotiating Ukraine's accession to the EU.

On February 21, 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the negotiation framework for Ukraine's accession to the EU would be ready in early summer, after the European elections.

On February 22, President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's goal is to start negotiations on EU accession by June.

On March 12, it became known that European Commissioner Varhelyi proposed to recognize only two of the four steps necessary for Ukraine's accession to the EU as completed.

On May 29, it was reported that the EU plans to start negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the bloc before Hungary takes over the presidency of the EU Council on July 1. Kyiv has fulfilled most of the conditions for accession.