On March 17, Ukraine initiated three additional negotiation clusters as part of its European Union accession process. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Chief Negotiator and Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, received a list of conditions, known as benchmarks, from the European Commission in Brussels.
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, confirmed that all six negotiation clusters are now open at a technical level. This development allows for explanatory meetings, the establishment of reform requirements, and the advancement of negotiations, even in the absence of a formal political decision to open negotiation chapters.
“This step is truly revolutionary—in a very European sense. It aligns with the existing enlargement methodology and reflects the current reality where we cannot afford to lose any time in Ukraine’s path to the EU,” Kachka stated.
The clusters address key areas including competitiveness and inclusive growth, green policy and sustainable connections, as well as agriculture and cohesion policy.
“Reforms within Cluster 3 will create more jobs, improve business conditions, and attract more investments into the Ukrainian economy. Cluster 4 reforms will lead to cleaner energy, more reliable electricity supply, and better roads, rail connections, and border infrastructure. Cluster 5 reforms will strengthen agriculture, enhance support for rural communities, and promote smarter land and water use,” Várhelyi added.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko indicated that the document outlining the conditions would be sent to the Verkhovna Rada for collaborative efforts towards implementation.
The EU accession negotiations are divided into six thematic clusters encompassing 35 chapters of EU legislation. Each cluster requires unanimous approval from all EU member states for formal opening or closing.
Currently, Hungary is blocking the official opening of the negotiation clusters concerning Ukraine, as it has not agreed to the European Council’s decision. Consequently, negotiations are progressing in a technical preparation format, focusing on the reforms Ukraine needs to undertake for a swift official opening and closing of all clusters.
Since June 2022, Ukraine has held official candidate status for EU membership. President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that a clear date for Ukraine’s EU accession, viewed as part of security guarantees, is crucial for any potential peace settlement with Russia. Otherwise, he warned, Russian President Vladimir Putin would attempt to hinder Ukraine’s EU integration process.
Ukraine has opened three new negotiation clusters in its EU accession process, receiving benchmarks from the European Commission. This move allows for technical discussions on reforms, though Hungary currently blocks formal negotiations.