Ukraine's accession to the EU by 2027: Ambassador explains whether this timeline is realistic
Katarina Mathernova, the European Union’s Ambassador to Ukraine, stated that there is currently no officially confirmed date for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, including for 2027.
She mentioned this in an interview.
According to her, this date has only come up in the context of specific political discussions and has not been officially agreed upon within the European Union.
“I think the year 2027 was included in discussions of the 20-point peace plan that was considered some time ago, as well as during trilateral talks involving the U.S. and Russia. I don’t think the European Union has ever officially approved this date,” she noted.
At the same time, the diplomat emphasized that the EU supports accelerating negotiations on Ukraine’s membership, but it is still too early to discuss specific deadlines.
“I believe that EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who was here recently, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, noted that specific accession dates, when reforms are not yet complete, are a sensitive issue,” Maternova explained.
The ambassador emphasized that domestic reforms remain a key factor on the path to membership. According to her, even in the context of potential peace talks, it is important not to halt the transformation.
“I would wish for nothing more than the swiftest possible establishment of lasting peace in Ukraine. And I think that this could certainly create momentum for many things. But while we are preparing for peace, I believe it is important to continue with reforms,” she emphasized.
Thus, the prospect of Ukraine’s accession to the EU remains open, but its realization depends primarily on the pace of reforms and political agreements, rather than on a specific date.
Earlier, the European Union’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, stated that Ukraine has a “window of opportunity” lasting approximately two to two and a half years to implement the key reforms necessary for accession to the European Union.
