Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha participated in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Limassol, Cyprus, on May 27, where he called for the opening of all six negotiation clusters for Ukraine by June.
According to a statement from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Sybiha emphasized the need for recognition of Ukraine’s efforts in the EU accession process. He remarked, “Ukraine needs the EU—and the EU needs Ukraine.”
During his address, Sybiha highlighted key issues, including enhancing Europe’s role in peace efforts, Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership, increasing sanctions against Russia, and addressing Ukraine’s defense needs.
“Ukraine has cards. Europe has cards. We have a strong position. It is time to play it. As the dynamics of the war change, and Ukraine’s asymmetric strategy yields results, Europe must act decisively to advance peace—complementing the main negotiation track led by the U.S.,” Sybiha stated.
He outlined specific actions that partners should take, such as a ceasefire concerning airports and seaports, the return of civilian hostages, demilitarization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and establishing a humanitarian corridor from the occupied city of Oleshky in Kherson, where residents have been without food, water, and medical supplies for weeks.
Sybiha also suggested clearly defining the mandate for peace efforts to present a unified European voice. He noted that the focus should not be on selecting a leader or group to spearhead these initiatives but rather on leveraging Europe’s capabilities to achieve tangible results, primarily through sanctions and frozen Russian assets.
He acknowledged a new and promising dynamic in bilateral relations with Hungary, which he believes presents an opportunity that European allies should seize.
Sybiha expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their resilience in the face of Russian threats against foreign diplomats in Kyiv.
“Such intimidation may have worked years ago. But not anymore. Europe has changed. Europe has leverage. Europe must act,” he asserted.
Ukraine’s EU Membership Aspirations
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 António Costa, urging EU leaders to open the negotiation clusters for Ukraine’s accession.
Despite Ukraine’s technical readiness and the government’s approval of negotiation positions, unanimous agreement from all 27 EU member states is required to officially open 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 from the EU regarding three final negotiation clusters. EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi emphasized that all six negotiation clusters for Ukraine’s membership are currently unofficially open.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged EU foreign ministers to open all six negotiation clusters for Ukraine's EU membership during a meeting in Cyprus. He highlighted the importance of a unified European approach to peace efforts and outlined specific actions needed to support Ukraine amidst ongoing challenges.