Ukraine's EU accession: Czech Foreign Minister believes that negotiations could start in fall

The ČTK media outlet reports.

He said that the meeting of foreign ministers (EU Council) in Kyiv was not just symbolic - practical solutions were discussed. In his opinion, Ukraine will need EU assistance for some time.

"It was clearly stated that if Ukraine is in the European Union, it will be a clear security guarantee. However, it is true that Ukraine must change, and adapt its law to EU law. It is a long run," the minister said.

Lipavský emphasized that the Czech Republic defends the position that negotiations on EU accession with Ukraine should begin in the fall or early next year. In his opinion, Europe is interested in Ukraine's ability to adopt all standards and adapt its legal system.

"This is a technical process during which it will be assessed how ready Ukraine is. It will be clear to see where it still needs to work," he said.

Ukraine's accession to the EU: what is known

Ukraine applied for EU membership on 28 February 2022 during the Russian-Ukrainian war. 

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

In May, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine should be ready to join the EU in two years - the country expects to receive a political decision to start accession negotiations this year.

According to Espreso's sources, the European Parliament is considering the possibility of starting negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU this fall.

However, on August 17, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said that Ukraine would not be able to implement all 7 EU recommendations by October, as these are changes that have been implemented over the years.

On August 28, European Council President Charles Michel said that the European Union should be ready to accept new member states by 2030. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed support for setting a tentative ‘time target’ for new members to join the EU.

On September 8, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said it was important that negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU begin by the end of this year. A clear European perspective will inspire Ukrainians on the battlefield.

On September 21, the head of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, Davyd Arakhamia, said that the Ukrainian parliament has passed 99.9% of what is needed to start negotiations on EU membership.

The media claim that in October the European Commission is preparing to recommend the start of EU membership negotiations with Ukraine: European leaders will discuss possible interim conditions in December.