Marta Kos said Ukraine's accession to the EU in 2027 is impossible — Politico
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union in early 2027 is an unrealistic scenario.
The main obstacles to rapid integration remain the ongoing war and the need for deep domestic reforms.
During an event organized by Politico, the Commissioner clearly outlined the timeline and conditions for the process. She emphasized that despite Kyiv’s ambitious plans, procedural and security realities dictate a different timeline.
“Everyone in this room knows that it is impossible for Ukraine to become an EU member on January 1, 2027,” Marta Kos emphasized.
She added that while the Ukrainian president’s desire to accelerate the process is understandable, membership cannot be tied to fixed dates without meeting the basic requirements.
According to Marta Kos, there are no “shortcuts” on the path to EU membership.
The key prerequisites remain achieving lasting peace and implementing legislative changes, particularly regarding the fight against corruption and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
“First, we need peace—that’s important—then we need to carry out reforms… investors will come to Ukraine, as you know, only when they can make money and when their investments are safe,” the European Commissioner explained.
She noted that investor confidence directly depends on the rule of law.
Currently, Brussels and Kyiv are working to ensure that the next three presidencies of the EU Council focus on enlargement. The goal is to conclude the negotiation process regarding Ukraine by the end of 2027, which is not the same as the actual date of accession.
As a reminder, the European Commission has outlined another condition for Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Von der Leyen also assured that Ukraine will receive a loan from the EU.
