Brussels praises Ukraine’s EU progress but warns of “negative trends”

The European Commission praised Ukraine’s “remarkable commitment” to EU membership but cautioned against “negative trends,” particularly concerning anti-corruption and judicial independence. Recent legislative changes temporarily reducing the autonomy of NABU and SAPO drew criticism from Brussels, prompting Kyiv to reverse the move.

Source Euronews 

Despite these concerns, the Commission said it remains ready to open accession talks with Ukraine before 2028 — provided reforms continue at a faster pace. It commended Kyiv for progress on public administration, transparency, and the rule of law, while emphasizing that sustained anti-corruption efforts are essential for EU readiness.

The report also noted that internal EU divisions, including objections from Hungary, may complicate Ukraine’s path. Still, Brussels reiterated that Ukraine’s integration into the European Union remains both realistic and achievable if reform momentum is maintained.