EU Urges Ukraine to Accelerate Reforms for Membership

Ukraine's ambition to join the European Union faces renewed pressure as the European Commission calls for faster judicial, anti-corruption, and institutional reforms. In its November 4, 2026, assessment, Brussels reaffirmed support for Kyiv's membership ambitions but warned that existing shortcomings could delay negotiations.

The Commission said Ukraine must accelerate its reform program to achieve its target of completing accession negotiations by the end of 2028. The assessment also recognized the country's progress toward European integration despite Russia's ongoing war.

According to the Commission's summary, Ukraine has demonstrated sustained commitment to European integration through continued implementation of reforms under exceptionally difficult circumstances.

"Ukraine has shown steadfast commitment to European integration through continued reform implementation, even in the face of (the) most difficult circumstances brought by Russia's war of aggression," the European Commission said in its report.

Brussels also identified several areas where Ukraine could contribute significantly to the European economy and security architecture.

"potential"

"critical raw materials, energy, agriculture, digital technologies, and defense production"

"already contributing"

"global frontrunner."

These descriptions refer to Ukraine's economic resources, security contributions, and digital development. The Commission nevertheless stressed that additional legislative and institutional changes remain necessary.

"ambitious"

"that to meet it, an acceleration of the pace of reforms is required."

The assessment identifies judicial independence and anti-corruption enforcement as particularly important conditions for advancing negotiations. Ukraine expects to open the final two of six enlargement clusters in December 2026.

These clusters cover 33 negotiating chapters containing reforms required to bring Ukrainian legislation and institutions into alignment with EU standards. Once negotiations are completed, the parties can prepare an accession treaty.

However, several judicial and institutional requirements must be satisfied before Ukraine can close all negotiating chapters.

"interim benchmarks."

The Commission's 109-page assessment highlights shortcomings in judicial reform, organized crime investigations, and anti-corruption legislation.

"Limited progress"

"remains mostly outstanding."

Both assessments concern Ukraine's implementation of its rule-of-law roadmap and a 10-point reform program introduced in December 2025. The initiative was spearheaded by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and then-Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kachka.

"Ukraine did not make progress in aligning its legislation with the EU… on the fight against serious and organized crime," the Commission's report stated.

"no laws were adopted to significantly advance the anti-corruption legal framework."

The Commission consequently emphasized the need for immediate legislative action to satisfy the interim requirements.

"urgent"

One major recommendation concerns the selection of judges, with Brussels calling for independent international experts to participate in the appointment process. The Commission expressed concern about continued resistance to this measure.

"continued resistance"

Another priority involves reforming the appointment procedure for Ukraine's Prosecutor General. The Commission wants a selection system based on transparency and professional qualifications rather than political influence.

"more transparent and merit-based," the European Commission said.

The current arrangement gives the president responsibility for appointing the Prosecutor General, subject to parliamentary confirmation. The position has attracted attention following the dismissal of former officeholder Ruslan Kravchenko amid a corruption investigation and his departure for Austria.

Media independence also features prominently in the assessment. Although Ukraine has improved its position in international press freedom rankings, the Commission continues to identify problems affecting journalists.

"Harassment and intimidation of journalists… continued to be recorded at similar levels as in previous years," the report noted.

For the third consecutive year, Brussels also recommended reconsidering the country's national television telethon, which was established following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

"telethon"

The initiative, known as Yedyni Novyny, brought together coverage from Ukraine's largest television channels. Although initially intended to provide coordinated wartime reporting, it has faced criticism over its impact on independent and opposition media.

"Yedyni Novyny"

"United News"

The Commission questioned the continued allocation of substantial public funding to the broadcasting initiative.

"In 2026, substantial public funding of around (Hr) 1.5 billion ($32.9 million)... for the telethon continued, despite declining levels of public trust and outreach," the report stated.

Meanwhile, the assessment identified insufficient government financing for Ukraine's public broadcaster as another unresolved issue.

"below the legal requirement"

Despite these criticisms, the Commission acknowledged improvements across several areas of Ukraine's accession preparations.

"good progress"

"some progress"

According to an accompanying roadmap, Ukraine could complete seven of its 33 negotiating chapters by the end of 2027 if current reform momentum continues.

The Commission also highlighted practical benefits that closer integration has already delivered. Ukraine joined the EU's mobile roaming area in January 2026, providing a concrete example of the advantages associated with closer economic cooperation.

Another potential benefit involves membership in the Single European Payments Area, which would simplify euro transactions for Ukrainian businesses. However, Ukraine must first adopt additional anti-money-laundering legislation.

"facilitates faster and less costly euro payments."

The EU accounts for 65% of Ukraine's trade in goods, making closer financial integration particularly relevant to Ukrainian businesses.

To accelerate outstanding reforms, Ukraine and the European Commission established a joint task force in October. Its objective is to address the rule-of-law requirements outlined in the interim benchmarks within approximately four months.

The broader enlargement debate also featured political disagreements among candidate countries during the Euronews Enlargement Summit in Brussels on November 3.

European Council President António Costa emphasized that historical disputes and nationalist rhetoric should not undermine European integration.

"The ambition to join the European Union must help overcome historical grievances, reject nationalist rhetoric, and encourage countries to move towards genuine cooperation. Europe's experience demonstrates that enlargement benefits us all," Costa said in a written address.

Montenegro remains the leading candidate, targeting EU membership by 2028, while Albania aims to complete negotiations by the end of 2027. North Macedonia continues to face obstacles arising from its dispute with Bulgaria over constitutional recognition of the Bulgarian minority.

In the Southern Caucasus, Armenia is considering a formal membership application in 2027 or 2028, while Georgia's accession process remains stalled over controversial legislation introduced in 2024.

Ukraine's agricultural policy also remains contentious. Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi rejected proposals to impose permanent restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products after accession, arguing that any transitional arrangements must address specific risks and include clear review and exit conditions.

Kyiv aims to begin closing negotiating chapters during the first half of 2027, while the European Commission continues to support its broader objective of completing accession negotiations by the end of 2028.