European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, emphasized that the upcoming month is crucial for Ukraine’s advancement towards European Union membership. During a recent event titled “Ukraine’s Accession: How to Achieve the Next Expansion of Europe,” he underscored the importance of accelerating essential reforms.
Várhelyi noted that Ukraine’s progress in EU accession talks is directly linked to the effectiveness and consistency of its reforms. He stated that EU enlargement is not determined by fixed timelines but rather by tangible changes within the candidate country.
The Commissioner highlighted that Ukraine must focus on implementing ten priority reforms, particularly in the realm of the rule of law. This includes strengthening anti-corruption institutions such as the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), as well as improving the selection process for the Attorney General.
These agreements are part of the so-called “Kachka-Kos Plan,” which was previously established in Lviv.
“Progress in these reforms, along with meeting interim criteria, will be critical for advancing accession negotiations and ensuring accelerated gradual integration into the European Union,” Várhelyi added.
Ukraine’s EU Accession
On December 19, 2025, it was reported that Ukraine had completed the necessary procedures to open all six negotiation clusters for EU membership.
On October 2, 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, urging EU leaders to open the negotiation clusters for Ukraine’s EU accession.
Despite Kyiv’s technical readiness and government approval of negotiation positions, unanimous agreement from all 27 EU member states is required for the actual opening of the clusters. This consensus principle poses a significant challenge for Ukraine at this stage.
On March 17, 2026, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that the Ukrainian delegation in Brussels received conditions for accession regarding the final three negotiation clusters. Commissioner Várhelyi confirmed that all six negotiation clusters for Ukraine’s accession are currently unofficially open.
European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi has stated that the next month is pivotal for Ukraine's EU accession, stressing the need for significant reforms. Key priorities include strengthening anti-corruption measures and improving legal frameworks, with all six negotiation clusters now unofficially open.