Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, stated in an exclusive interview with Radio Free Europe at the Munich Security Conference that Ukraine’s membership in the European Union is traditionally viewed as a component of security guarantees and may be addressed in the context of future peace agreements.
In her remarks regarding the pressures faced by Kyiv in negotiations, Kos emphasized that Ukraine has withstood various pressures over the years, demonstrating resilience. She affirmed, “With the support of the EU, this will continue. We will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary, and as long as it takes for its accession to the EU.”
Kos highlighted that the inclusion of Ukraine’s European integration in future peace settlement parameters aligns with historical practices. She noted, “Membership in the EU has always been part of security guarantees in the past for other countries. The accession process benefits not only new members but also existing member states.”
However, she cautioned that the accession process is “very demanding” and requires adherence to methodologies and extensive reforms. When asked about the possibility of Ukraine joining the EU by 2027, Kos remarked that it “depends on progress within the existing procedures.”
“There is a technical process that I am leading, and there is a dynamic among member states. Each step requires their approval,” she added. Kos further stated that final accession timelines will be determined based on the fulfillment of reforms and consensus among EU countries.
One provision of a 20-point peace agreement currently under discussion between Ukraine and the United States, as well as between the U.S. and Russia, includes Ukraine’s EU membership, reportedly anticipated for 2027. However, skepticism exists within the EU regarding this timeline. Earlier in January, Commissioner Kos indicated she could not guarantee Ukraine’s EU accession by 2027, despite significant progress in negotiations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also expressed that Ukraine’s EU membership is unlikely in the near future.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the security conference in Munich on February 14. He is also scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, American senators, the President of Azerbaijan, and other officials.
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) is taking place from February 13 to 15 this year, featuring several European leaders alongside President Zelensky and the Ukrainian delegation.
Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, discussed Ukraine’s potential EU membership as a security guarantee during the Munich Security Conference. While she acknowledged the challenges of the accession process, she emphasized ongoing EU support for Ukraine amid negotiations for a peace agreement that includes EU membership provisions.