Ukraine’s EU accession timeline can be politically shortened – Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kachka
Some elements of Ukraine’s planned European integration process calendar could be politically expedited, specifically the conclusion of an international treaty on accession terms and its ratification, Taras Kachka, the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, stated during an interview with Ukrinform news agency.
Photo: Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European IntegrationOn January 3, 2026, a meeting of national security advisors from European countries was held in Kyiv.
Kachka explained that there is a standard calendar of expectations for the stages of Ukraine’s European integration, which the European Commission highlighted last fall during the presentation of the enlargement report. According to this calendar, the completion of preparations for accession is set to take place by the end of 2027, with negotiations planned for completion in 2028. Following that, negotiations on the treaty regarding the terms of EU accession and its ratification will occur.
The official said that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is planned for 2030.
He clarified that 2027 could be a theoretical and exceptionally record-breaking possible date.
To provide background, in December 2025, under the Danish presidency of the Council of the EU, a “frontloading” mechanism was launched — a process that will allow Ukraine to prepare for negotiating clusters even before the Hungarian veto is lifted.
The EU suggested the possibility of moving away from the principle of unanimous decision-making by all 27 member states to open negotiating clusters regarding Ukraine’s accession. Such a rule change is possible during the intermediate stages of the process.
In February 2025, Hungary used the principle of unanimity in EU expansion decisions to block Ukraine’s progress toward accession.
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