There is currently no consensus among European Union member states regarding Ukraine’s accession date to the bloc. Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for a timeline, EU governments are hesitant to commit to any specific date.
“I have the impression that member states are not ready to name a specific date… There is still a lot of work ahead,” stated an EU official.
The accession date suggested in the 20-point peace plan proposed by the United States, set for January 1, 2027, is viewed as unrealistic by most EU governments, as is any other fixed date.
Officials emphasize that EU membership is a process based on “merits and achievements,” progressing as candidate countries adapt their legislation to EU standards.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs echoed this sentiment, expressing skepticism about a potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. He noted that while the EU has shown creativity in the past, there are currently many other candidates for membership.
“Yes, we understand that we need Ukraine in the European Union, and when I talk to many heads of state, I get the impression that there is no readiness to accept a date… Whether you like it or not, this is closely linked to a peace agreement. Will there be a peace agreement or not? I do not see any movement from Russia, and if Russia does not move, then we will not have an agreement,” he concluded.
EU member states remain divided on a timeline for Ukraine's accession, with officials citing the need for further progress and adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to EU standards. Skepticism about a peace agreement with Russia adds to the uncertainty surrounding Ukraine's future in the bloc.