| Accession of Ukraine to theEuropean Union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Status | Candidate negotiating | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earliest possible entry | 2034 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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On 28 February 2022, four days afterit was invaded by Russia,Ukraine applied for membership of theEuropean Union (EU). Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy requested immediate admission under a "new special procedure",[2] and the presidents of eight EU states called for an accelerated accession process.[3]European CommissionpresidentUrsula von der Leyen stated that she supports Ukrainian accession, but that the process would take time.[2] On 10 March 2022, theCouncil of the European Union asked the commission for its opinion on the application.[4] On 8 April 2022, von der Leyen presented Zelenskyy with a legislative questionnaire,[5] which Ukraine responded to on 9 May.[6]
On 17 June 2022, theEuropean Commission recommended that theEuropean Council grant Ukrainecandidate status for accession to the EU.[7][8] On 23 June 2022, theEuropean Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the immediate granting of candidate status for EU membership to Ukraine.[9][10] On the same day, theEuropean Council granted Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the EU.[11] It is one of nine current EU candidate countries, together withAlbania,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Georgia,Moldova,Montenegro,North Macedonia,Serbia, andTurkey.
On 14 December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.[12] Accession negotiations officially opened on 25 June 2024, at the same time as those withMoldova.[13][14] This signified another milestone in this country's ongoing efforts to align more closely withWestern nations and diminish Russia's influence.[15]If Ukraine becomes a member of the EU, it will be anotherformer Soviet country afterEstonia,Latvia andLithuania, which all joined the EU in2004.
In June 2025, Hungary has blocked the opening of EU accession talks, Hungarian Prime MinisterViktor Orbán says it would mean "integrating war" into the European Union.[16][17] German ChancellorFriedrich Merz cast doubt on the possibility of Ukraine joining the European Union by 2034.[18]
In July 2025, Ukrainian lawmakers voted to scuttle the independence of anti-corruption agencies in the country.[19] The European Commission warned Ukraine that this move will have consequences for EU accession.[20][21] On 31 July, PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy restored the independence of Ukraine's two main anti-corruption agencies hours after lawmakers approved the bill 331 to 0, saying the legislation "guarantees the absence of any kind of outside influence (or) interference".[22]
TheEuropean Union–Ukraine Association Agreement was signed in 2014 after a series of events that had stalled its ratification culminatedin a revolution in Ukraine and overthrow of the then incumbentPresident of Ukraine,Viktor Yanukovych.[23] TheDeep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with Ukraine came into force on 1 September 2017 after being provisionally applied since 1 January 2016,[24] and the Association Agreement fully came into force on 1 September 2017.[25] On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, leading to the membership application.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1991 | Declaration of the European Union on Ukraine. |
| 1992 | The first Ukraine-EU summit. |
| 1993 | An agreement was signed between theEuropean Communities and Ukraine on trade in textile products, the opening of a representative office of the Commission of the European Communities in Ukraine. |
| 1994 | TheVerkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. |
| 1995 | The first meeting of the Joint Committee Ukraine - EU, the establishment of the Representation of Ukraine to the European Communities. |
| 1996 | The European Union has recognized Ukraine's status as a country in transition. TheCouncil of the European Union has adopted an action plan for Ukraine. |
| 1997 | An agreement on trade in steel products was signed between theEuropean Coal and Steel Community and the Government of Ukraine. |
| 1998 | Entry into force of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, Ukraine has officially declared its desire to become an associate member of the EU, adopted a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "On the introduction of a mechanism for adapting Ukrainian legislation to European Union.[26] |
| 1999 | The EU has reaffirmed its intention to facilitate Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization and the launch of a free trade area between Ukraine and the EU. |
| 2005 | The Council of the European Union has granted Ukraine the status of a market economy country, another summit. |
| 5 March 2007 | Negotiations have begun to conclude a new enhanced agreement to replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. |
| 2008 | Entry into force of visa facilitation and readmission agreements between Ukraine and the EU. |
| 7 May 2009 | Ukraine became a member of the EU'sEastern Partnership initiative |
| 16 June 2009 | During the meeting of the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council, the "EU-Ukraine Association Agenda" was politically approved. |
| 25 February 2010 | The European Parliament has approved a resolution on the situation in Ukraine, which, in particular, recognizes Ukraine's right to join the European Union. The European Commission is also given a mandate to work on a "road map" for visa-free travel between Ukraine and EU countries.[27] |
| 2013 | A joint statement was adopted at the Brussels summit stating that Ukraine is "determined to comply" with EU conditions so that the parties can sign the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Area. |
| 21 November 2013 | The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to suspend the process of preparation for the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union, as a result of which mass demonstrations began across the country against the suspension of the European integration process —Euromaidan.[28][29] On November 24, a mass protest took place in Kyiv, attended by more than a million people.[30] |
| 21 March 2014 | The political part of theEuropean Union–Ukraine Association Agreement was signed in Brussels with the participation of Prime MinisterArsenii Yatseniuk. |
| 27 June 2014 | The fifthPresident of UkrainePetro Poroshenko signed the second (economic) part of the Association Agreement with the European Union. |
| 16 September 2014 | The European Parliament ratified the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union simultaneously with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (via a teleconference viaSkype). |
| 1 November 2014 | The provisional application of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union has entered into force. |
| 13 February 2017 | The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine ratified the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the European Union on Ukraine's participation in theCOSME program. |
| 13 July 2017 | The Ukraine-EU summit in Kyiv completed the ratification process of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union and the entry into force of the visa-free regime between Ukraine and the European Union.[31] |
| 9 July 2018 | The 20th anniversary Ukraine-EU Summit took place.[32] |
| 12 October 2021 | An agreement on theCommon Aviation Area was signed at the Ukraine-EU summit in Kyiv.[33] |
| 28 February 2022 | The sixth President of UkraineVolodymyr Zelensky signed an application for Ukraine's accession to the European Union under the "accelerated procedure". |
| 1 March 2022 | TheEuropean Parliament almost unanimously voted in favor of the resolution, which called on the European Union institutions to work to give Ukraine candidate status for membership in the European Union.[34] |
| 16 March 2022 | NPC Ukrenergo, the system operator of the power grid, NPCUkrenergo together with its European colleagues completed the integration with theSynchronous grid of Continental Europe and became part ofENTSO-E.[35] |
| 25 March 2022 | During the informal summit of the European Union, Member States supported Ukraine's European aspirations and invited the European Commission to provide its conclusions on the application for EU membership.[36] |
| 8 April 2022 | ThePresident of the European Commission handed over a questionnaire to Ukraine to obtain candidate status. |
| 17 April 2022 | Ukraine responded to the first part of the questionnaire. |
| 9 May 2022 | Ukraine responded to the second and final part of the questionnaire. |
| 17 June 2022 | TheEuropean Commission recommended granting candidate status to Ukraine.[37] |
| 23 June 2022 | TheEuropean Council granted Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union.[11] |
| 8 November 2023 | TheEuropean Commission recommended opening accession negotiations with Ukraine.[38] |
| 14 December 2023 | The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.[12] |
| 25 January 2024 | Start of screening |
| 21 June 2024 | The European Union has decided to start membership negotiations with Ukraine.[13][39][40] |
| 25 June 2024 | Start of membership negotiations[13] |
On 12 January 2002, theEuropean Parliament noted that Ukraine may enter the EU in the future.[41]In 2002, EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenther Verheugen said that "the European perspective for Ukraine does not necessarily mean membership in the next 10-20 years, although it is possible." To join the European Union, the applicant state must meet the political and economic conditions commonly known as theCopenhagen Criteria (adopted at the Copenhagen Summit in 1993), namely a democratic government that recognizes the rule of law and relevant freedoms and institutions. According to the Maastricht Treaty, each current Member State, as well as the European Parliament, must agree on any enlargement.
Obtaining the status of a full member of the EU as a strategic goal of Ukraine was first declared by President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko immediately after his election in early 2005.[42] On 13 January 2005, the European Parliament almost unanimously (467 in favor, 19 against) adopted a resolution on the European Parliament's intentions to converge with Ukraine on membership. The European Commission notes that, although a certain preparatory period has yet to pass, the admission of new members is not ruled out. To which President Yushchenko responded with his intention to apply for membership "in the near future."
Several influential EU leaders at the time expressed support for improving ties with Ukraine. In particular, Polish Foreign Minister Adam Rotfeld stated on 21 March 2005 that Poland would support Ukraine's European integration aspirations under any circumstances. In particular, he said: "At this stage, we should focus on concrete steps of cooperation instead of empty talks about pan-European cooperation." Three days later, a survey in the six largest EU countries showed the commitment of EU citizens to accept Ukraine as a full member in the future.
In October 2005, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that "Ukraine's future is in the EU." However, on 9 October 2005, the European Commission, in a new version of the Development Strategy Paper, stated that the implementation of enlargement plans (Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republics) could block the accession of Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said the EU should avoid "too much enlargement", stressing that the current enlargement plan looks complete.[43]
Although Ukrainian officials and political scientists mentioned several specific dates for possible membership, only Ukraine's European Neighborhood Policy has been officially proposed to Ukraine by the EU so far. The presidential administration has been critical of the proposed status of neighborhood relations.
In March 2007, Ukraine was offered a Free Trade Agreement with the EU. Although this proposal provoked a much stronger reaction from the Ukrainian state, it did not contain specific plans for Ukraine's accession to the EU in the near future. Some Western European politicians[which?] have spoken of the temporary "fatigue of enlargement" of European institutions.[citation needed] Ukrainian observers identify the so-called "resistance group" of Ukraine's accession to the EU. In particular, when concluding the text of the Enhanced Agreement between Ukraine and the EU in March 2007, references to the prospect of membership were excluded from it. "Any mention of the prospect of Ukraine's accession to the European Union has been excluded from the draft enhanced Ukraine-EU agreement due to France's position," wrote the influential German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Italy's position depends on the domestic political situation of this country. Thus, during the election campaign in this country, the government ofSilvio Berlusconi gave diplomatic signals that he was ready to support Ukraine's European integration aspirations. His political opponentRomano Prodi, on the other hand, said that "Ukraine's prospects for joining the EU are the same as in New Zealand."[citation needed]
According to the Eastern Partnership policy, Ukraine can become a member of the European Union.[44] On 27 February 2014 the European Parliament passed a resolution that recognized Ukraine's right to "apply to become a Member of the Union, provided that it adheres to the principles of democracy, respects fundamental freedoms and human and minority rights, and ensures the rule of law".[45][46] The European Parliament notes that in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty with the EU, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, like any other European country, have a European perspective and can apply for EU membership in accordance with the principles of democracy, - said in a resolution of the European Parliament in Brussels, adopted at the last session before the elections to the European Parliament, which took place on 23–25 May 2014.[47] 27 June 2014 The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso stated that the Association Agreement is the beginning of Ukraine's accession to the EU.[48] On the same day, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele stated that he believed in Ukraine's future membership in the EU.[49]
In March 2016,President of the European CommissionJean-Claude Juncker stated that it would take at least 20–25 years for Ukraine to join the EU and NATO.[50] In June 2018, President of UkrainePetro Poroshenko said he expectsUkraine will join theEuropean Union and theNorth Atlantic Treaty Organisation by 2030.
On 21 February 2019, theConstitution of Ukraine was amended to enshrine the norms on the strategic course of Ukraine for membership in the European Union andNATO in the preamble of the Basic Law, three articles and transitional provisions.[51][52]
At the X session of the Ukraine–Poland–Lithuania Interparliamentary Assembly, which ended on 8 June 2019 in Kyiv, the parties signed a final document containing an agreement on the strategy of 2025 and 2027 as a period for Ukraine's possible accession to the EU. In 2027, when Lithuania will hold the EU presidency for the second time, the issue of Ukraine will be the main issue on the agenda. If this opportunity is not used, the next "window" will open in 2039, when Poland will preside over the EU and Lithuania will preside only in 2041.[53]
On 23 July 2020, Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine created a tripartite platform for political, economic, cultural and social cooperation - theLublin Triangle, which aims to support Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO.
In February 2021, the leader of the presidingChristian Democratic Union of Germany,Armin Laschet, who was considered a likely successor to Angela Merkel as Chancellor of Germany, supported the idea of EU enlargement and giving Ukraine a European perspective:[54]
"The question of Ukraine's accession to the EU does not arise at the moment, but it will inevitably arise in the future. We must support Ukraine on its difficult path and at the same time open a European perspective."
Quite a few experts believe that in times of deteriorating relations between Russia and the EU,[55] Ukraine has a window of opportunity to join the European Union.Pavlo Klimkin noted that Ukraine still does not meet any criteria for joining the European Union, as it does not have an established democracy, rule of law and a full-fledged market economy. According to him, the first chance was lost in early 2005, when Yushchenko was persuaded not to apply, and in 2014, it was much more difficult to do so.[56]
On 11 February 2021, the European Parliament published a report on Ukraine's success in implementing the Association Agreement with the European Union. The document highlights both the main successes of Ukraine on this path, as well as failures or moments that hinder the reform process in the country. In general, the European Union is not yet ready to officially talk about the prospects of Ukraine's accession to the ranks of member states, but Ukraine's European perspective is recognized.[57] In 2021, Ukraine was preparing to formally apply for EU membership in 2024, in order to join the European Union in the 2030s.[58]
On 13 September 2023, during herState of the European Union address,President of the European Commission,Ursula von der Leyen stated that the future of Ukraine was "in our Union".[59]
On 14 December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.[60]
On 21 June 2024, the European Union agreed to start membership negotiations with Ukraine.[13]
In 2025,deputy prime minister forEuropean andEuro-Atlantic integrationOlha Stefanishyna announced a roadmap toUkraine's accession.[61]
Following theRussian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there were additional calls to start a formal accession process: Ukraine reiterated its desire to become a member of the union,[62] and European Commission president von der Leyen stated that Ukraine belongs in the European Union.[63] Slovak prime ministerEduard Heger expressed support for an accelerated accession process.[64]
On 26 February 2022,Polish presidentAndrzej Duda called for Ukraine's accelerated accession to the EU. On 27 February,Slovenian prime ministerJanez Janša, together withPolish prime ministerMateusz Morawiecki, proposed a plan for Ukraine's rapid integration into the EU by 2030 in a letter toEuropean Council presidentCharles Michel.Slovakian prime ministerEduard Heger also proposed to the EU to create a new special procedure for Ukrainian accession, in order to help Ukraine get back on its feet and recover from the war in the future.
On 28 February, Ukraine officially submitted a letter of application for membership.[2] Due to the ongoing crisis, President Zelenskyy requested immediate admission to the European Union under a special procedure.[2][65] On the same day, eight EU states signed a letter supporting an accelerated accession process for Ukraine,[66] and on 1 March, Hungarian foreign ministerPéter Szijjártó stated his country would also support an accelerated process.[67] On 1 March, the European Parliament, following a debate in which the President of Ukraine addressed and received applause, recommended that Ukraine be made an official candidate for EU membership.[68] The European Parliament voted to advance Ukraine's membership with 637 in favour, 13 against, and 26 abstained.[69][70]
On 1 March, the presidents of eight EU member states (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) signed an open letter calling on Ukraine to be given the prospect of EU membership and start the process of negotiations immediately.[71] On the same day,Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó called for Ukraine's accelerated accession to the European Union.
On 2 March, Spanish foreign ministerJosé Manuel Albares stated that "belonging to the EU is not a capricious process or one that can be done by a mere political decision", reminding that the candidate country "must meet certain social, political and economic standards".[72]
On 7 March, the EU said it will formally assess Ukraine's application[73] and on 10 March, theCouncil of the European Union asked the commission for its opinion on the application.[4]
On 9 March, the Polish Senate adopted a resolution calling on the countries of the European Union to support the accelerated process of Ukraine's accession to the EU with 93 votes in favor. "Ukrainian society has undoubtedly proved that it is ready to be part of a united Europe and ready to pay with blood for devotion to European values. Ukrainian soldiers, defending the borders of their country, protect the whole of Europe," the document reads.
On 8 April, Commission President von der Leyen, after visitingBucha in the aftermath ofa massacre there, visited Kyiv and met with President Zelenskyy. Von der Leyen presented Zelenskyy with the legislative questionnaire to begin Ukraine's application and offered to fast-track the process.[5] Borrell announced that the EU delegation to Ukraine, headed byMatti Maasikas, will return to Kyiv after it was evacuated at the outbreak of war.[74] On 17 April, Ukraine responded to the first part of the legislative questionnaire,[75] while it responded to the second and final part on 9 May.[6]
According toOlha Stefanishyna, the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, three EU countries opposed granting candidate status to Ukraine; according to Bloomberg, the Netherlands and Denmark were two of them. Germany offered to give Ukraine a conditional status, under promises to fulfill certain requirements.[76]
On 29 May, in order to support Ukraine's accession to the EU, in particular to obtain the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union,[77] theGovernment of Ukraine launched a communication campaign "Embrace Ukraine. Strengthen the Union" set for 25–26 June.[78][79]
After a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 16 June in Kyiv, the leaders ofGermany,Italy,Romania andFrance called for immediate candidate status for EU membership for Ukraine.[80]Federal Chancellor of GermanyOlaf Scholz noted that Ukraine's further movement into the EU, if all countries agree to grant it candidate status, depends on its own efforts.[81] Separately,French PresidentEmmanuel Macron explained that the visit to Ukraine of the leaders of the three largest EU economies - Germany, Italy and France, as well as thePresident of Romania was aimed at creating unanimity in the European Union regarding Ukraine's first step towards accession, which is the granting of candidate status: it was accepted the decision to grant Ukraine candidate status without additional conditions, but then to impose conditions on reforms at all subsequent stages.[82]
On 17 June,Foreign MinisterJeppe Kofod said that the Danish government is ready to support granting Ukraine candidate status for EU accession if the European Commission provides a positive recommendation.[83] The Netherlands on the same day appealed to the European Commission with a call to carefully prescribe the conditions for Ukraine's further approach to EU membership. In particular, the European Commission is called upon to prescribe in its conclusion what reforms Ukraine will have to implement in the future. The Netherlands provided a detailed description of what they consider to be the essential criteria.[84][85]
Also on 17 June, theEuropean Commission recommended that theEuropean Council grant Ukraine the perspective to become a member of the European Union and candidate status for accession.[7][8][37] Simultaneously with the recommendation to approve the candidate status, the Commission listed seven required reforms to be implemented by Ukraine:[86]
On 23 June, theEuropean Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the immediate granting of candidate status for membership of the European Union to Ukraine andMoldova, as well as to support the European perspective forGeorgia.[9][10] On the same day, theEuropean Council granted Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union,[11] contingent on meeting the seven required reforms.[87]
| Criterion | Jun 2023[88] | Nov 2023[89]: 9–11 | Nov 2024[90]: 4–8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Constitutional Court | Good progress | Completed | Completed |
| 2. Judicial governance | Completed | Completed | Completed |
| 3. Anti-corruption | Some progress | Good progress | Completed |
| 4. Anti-money laundering | Some progress | Completed | Completed |
| 5. De-oligarchisation | Some progress | Good progress | Completed |
| 6. Media legislation | Completed | Completed | Completed |
| 7. National minorities | Some progress | Good progress | Completed |
At first, the European Commission committed to assess completion of the seven criteria at the end of 2022, after which the next steps will be defined. The Ukrainian government pledged that it would complete the seven requirements by the end of autumn 2022. However, the European Council indicated this assessment would be considered at the next annual enlargement package in October 2023. By November 2022, the commission had still not started its assessment of the criteria. The second independent Candidate Check assessment, by a group including the New Europe Center andEuropean Pravda, assessed progress at 4.7/10.[91][92] In December, the Commission agreed to present a "preliminary assessment" of the seven requirements by spring 2023.[93]
In his speech in Moldova on 28 March 2023, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, stated that he hoped they would be able to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova by the end of the year.[94]
On 22 June, EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement CommissionerOlivér Várhelyi provided an oral update on Ukraine's progress toward the seven reforms.[88][95] On 22 September, the fifth Candidate Check assessment was released, rating Ukraine's progress on the seven reforms at 8.1/10.[96] The 2023 enlargement package report, released by the European Commission on 8 November, provided another update on Ukraine's progress towards these reforms, with four of the seven criteria assessed as having been completed.[89] The 2024 enlargement package report, released on 30 October, provided 'some progress' assessment on Ukraine's progress towards these reforms with only one completed.[90]
On 2 February 2023, theEuropean Commission published an analytical report on Ukraine's alignment with the EU acquis, "complet[ing] the Commission's Opinion on Ukraine's application for membership of the EU adopted on 17 June 2022".[97]
On 8 November 2023, theEuropean Commission recommended opening accession negotiations with Ukraine.[38] On 14 December 2023, theEuropean Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.[12] On 21 June 2024, the European Union agreed to start membership negotiations with Ukraine.[13][15] Accession negotiations began on 25 June 2024, at the same time as those withMoldova.[13][98]
On 13 November 2024, the Ukrainian Government announced the completion of the screening of the first cluster of negotiation chapters.[99]
On 16 January 2025, theEuropean Commission submitted its first screening report to theEuropean Council.[100]European Pravda also reported that the screening process will last until autumn 2025, according to aEuropean Commission spokesperson.
On 13 March 2025, the Ukrainian Government announced the completion of the screening of the second cluster of negotiation chapters.[101]
On 30 September 2025, the European Commission announced that Ukraine completed bilateral screening in all chapters, however, further efforts to formally proceed with negotiations were being blocked by Hungary over concerns about minority language rights of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine.[102][103]
| Cluster | Chapter | Level of preparation | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022[note 1][97] | 2023[89] | 2024[90][b] | 2025[104] | ||
| 1. Fundamentals | Public administration reform | — | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some / Moderate |
| 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | —[note 2] | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| The existence of a functioning market economy | — | Early stage / Some | Early stage / Some | Some level of preparation | |
| The capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union | — | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage / Some | |
| 5. Public Procurement | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 18. Statistics | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 32. Financial Control | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | |
| 2. Internal Market | 1. Free Movement of Goods | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared |
| 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | |
| 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 4. Free Movement of Capital | Some level of preparation | Some / Moderate | Some / Moderate | Some / Moderate | |
| 6. Company Law | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 7. Intellectual Property Law | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 8. Competition Policy | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 9. Financial Services | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 28. Consumer & Health Protection | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some / Moderate | |
| 3. Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 10. Digital transformation & Media | Moderately prepared | Moderate / Good | Moderate / Good | Moderate / Good |
| 16. Taxation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | |
| 19. Social Policy & Employment | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | |
| 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some / Moderate | Some / Moderate | |
| 25. Science & Research | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | |
| 26. Education & Culture | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some / Moderate | |
| 29. Customs Union | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | |
| 4. Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 14. Transport | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation |
| 15. Energy | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | |
| 21. Trans-European Networks | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 27. Environment & Climate Change | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 5. Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage / Some |
| 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | |
| 13. Fisheries | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | |
| 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | |
| 6. External relations | 30. External Relations | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation |
| 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | |
| Legend: Well advanced Good / Well advanced Good level of preparation Moderate / Good Moderately prepared Some / Moderate Some level of preparation Early stage / Some Early stage Notes: | |||||
| Cluster | Acquis chapter[105] | 33 / 33
| 33 / 33
| 0 / 33
| 0 / 33
| ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screening started | Screening completed | Chapter opened | Chapter closed | ||||||||||||||
| 1. Fundamentals | 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | 2024-09-17[106] | 2024-09-17[106] | ||||||||||||||
| 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | 2024-10-23[107] | 2024-10-25[107] | |||||||||||||||
| 5. Public Procurement | 2024-07-08[108] | 2024-07-09[108] | |||||||||||||||
| 18. Statistics | 2024-11-11[109] | 2024-11-12[99] | |||||||||||||||
| 32. Financial Control | 2024-10-08[110] | 2024-10-10[110] | |||||||||||||||
| 2. Internal Market | 1. Free Movement of Goods | 2025-03-03[111] | 2025-03-06[111] | ||||||||||||||
| 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | 2024-11-19[112] | 2024-11-19[112] | |||||||||||||||
| 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | 2024-11-21[112] | 2024-11-22[112] | |||||||||||||||
| 4. Free Movement of Capital | 2024-11-20[112] | 2024-11-20[112] | |||||||||||||||
| 6. Company Law | 2025-03-13[113] | 2025-03-13[113] | |||||||||||||||
| 7. Intellectual Property Law | 2024-12-10[114] | 2024-12-11[114] | |||||||||||||||
| 8. Competition Policy | 2025-01-27[115] | 2025-01-29[115] | |||||||||||||||
| 9. Financial Services | 2025-02-13[116] | 2025-02-14[116] | |||||||||||||||
| 28. Consumer & Health Protection | 2025-02-10[117] | 2025-02-12[117] | |||||||||||||||
| 3. Competitiveness and inclusive growth | 10. Digital transformation & Media | 2025-03-31[118] | 2025-04-01[118] | ||||||||||||||
| 16. Taxation | 2025-06-05[119] | 2025-06-06[119] | |||||||||||||||
| 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | 2025-06-04[120] | 2025-06-04[120] | |||||||||||||||
| 19. Social Policy & Employment | 2025-03-24[121] | 2025-03-25[122] | |||||||||||||||
| 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | 2025-04-28[123] | 2025-04-29[124] | |||||||||||||||
| 25. Science & Research | 2025-03-14[113] | 2025-03-14[113] | |||||||||||||||
| 26. Education & Culture | 2025-04-30[125] | 2025-04-30[125] | |||||||||||||||
| 29. Customs Union | 2025-04-10[126] | 2025-04-11[126] | |||||||||||||||
| 4. Green agenda and sustainable connectivity | 14. Transport | 2025-06-24[127] | 2025-06-27[127] | ||||||||||||||
| 15. Energy | 2025-07-08[128] | 2025-07-09[128] | |||||||||||||||
| 21. Trans-European Networks | 2025-06-24[127] | 2025-07-09[128] | |||||||||||||||
| 27. Environment & Climate Change | 2025-06-16[129] | 2025-06-20[129] | |||||||||||||||
| 5. Resources, agriculture and cohesion | 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | 2025-09-08[130] | 2025-09-10[130] | ||||||||||||||
| 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | 2025-09-15[131] | 2025-09-19[131] | |||||||||||||||
| 13. Fisheries | 2025-09-25[132] | 2025-09-26[132] | |||||||||||||||
| 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | 2025-09-29[132] | 2025-09-30[132] | |||||||||||||||
| 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | 2025-09-11[132] | 2025-09-11[132] | |||||||||||||||
| 6. External relations | 30. External Relations | 2025-01-30[115] | 2025-01-30[115] | ||||||||||||||
| 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | 2025-03-07[133] | 2025-03-07[133] |
Traditionally,Western Ukraine is found to be generally more enthusiastic about EU membership thanEastern Ukraine. In July 2012 and in May 2014, residents ofWest Ukraine (74% in July 2012 and 81% in May 2014),Central Ukraine (59% and 64%) andNorth Ukraine (56% and 71%) were the biggest supporters for EU membership. A June 2013 poll, on behalf ofDeutsche Welle, found that 52% ofEastern Ukraine was in favor of joining the EU.[134] But in a poll byComRes (forCNN) in May 2014 only 19% of Eastern Ukraine considered Ukraine joining the European Union "Good". The May 2014 ComRes poll found out that in the three easternmostoblasts of Ukraine,Kharkiv Oblast,Donetsk Oblast andLuhansk Oblast, 37% favored an alliance withRussia, 14% backed an alliance with the European Union and 49% stated Ukraine would be better off if it did not ally with either.
Citizens aged between 20 and 39 appeared to be the strongest supporters of joining the EU in May 2010 and December 2011 (in December 2011 the opinion of the age group 18–29 did not vary from one region to another).[135][136] In the May 2014 ComRes poll, people aged between 36 and 55 were the strongest supporters of joining the EU. Ukraine's EU ambassador,Kostiantyn Yelisieiev, stated in July 2011 thatbusiness tycoons and politicians fromUkraine's Russian speaking east were as much pro-EU as theUkrainian speaking west of the country: "If any politician today in Ukraine declared himself to be against European integration, he would be politically dead."[137]
91% of Ukrainians support joining the European Union during theRussian invasion of Ukraine,[138][139] according to a poll conducted by theRating Sociological Group on 30–31 March 2022,[140] up from 66.4% in February 2015.[141]
According to the 2025 annual survey of opinion in Ukraine, 82% of Ukrainians say their country has good relations with the European Union (21 points up since 2016), and 70% would vote to join the EU in a referendum, with just 9% opposed. The latest poll found that trust in the EU now stands at 76% – the highest since 2017 (+18 points). Half of those asked (49%) have a positive view of the European Union, compared to just 7% with a negative view. The poll shows strong and consistent support for EU accession, with 70% saying they would vote for EU accession if a referendum was held, against just 9% who would vote against. Over three-quarters (76%) believe EU membership would bring more advantages than disadvantages for Ukraine.[142]
According to a survey conducted by Ifop commissioned by the Yalta European Strategy and theFondation Jean-Jaurès from 3–7 March 2022, Ukraine's accession to the EU is supported by 92% of respondents inPoland, 71% inItaly, 68% inGermany, and 62% inFrance.[143]
The Flash Eurobarometer survey conducted in April in all EU countries shows the greatest support for Ukraine's accession to the EU inPortugal, where 87% of respondents supported it. This is followed byEstonia (83%),Lithuania (82%), Poland (81%) andIreland (79%).Hungarians are the most skeptical about Ukraine's accession, with only 48% of respondents supporting the idea and 37% against it. At the same time,Hungary has the highest share of the population who is undecided on this issue - 16% (the same in France andBelgium).[144]
According to a poll commissioned by the New Europe Center, which hasEuropean Pravda, among those who have decided on their position, 68% ofGermans, 65% ofFrench, and 65% ofDutch people were in favor of granting Ukraine a candidacy. At the same time, 32% of Germans and 35% of the French and the Dutch each oppose such a decision. In general, 46% of German residents support granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership, 22% are against it, another 25% found it difficult to answer, and 7% found it difficult to answer the question. Among French residents, 42% support granting Ukraine candidate status, 24% do not support it, 26% do not have a clear position, another 9% found it difficult to answer. In theNetherlands, 45% of respondents support Ukraine's candidacy, 24% are opposed, 21% found it difficult to choose an answer, and 10% do not know.
In June 2025, Hungary held a public consultation in which, of the 2 million people who participated, 95% voted against Ukraine joining the EU, while only 5% supported the bid.[145][146] On the other hand, in a major poll conducted in March-April 2025 by Hungary's main opposition party Tisza which included a question on Ukraine's accession, 58.2% (about 662,000 out of 1,137,266 voters) supported Ukraine's future EU membership.[147]
A June 2025, poll in Poland found that support for Ukraine's accession to the EU was at 35% while 42% opposed.[148][149][150]
| Member countries | Population[151][152] | Area (km2)[153][154] | Population density (/km2) | GDP (billion US$)[151][155] | GDP per capita (US$)[151] | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ukraine | 33,443,000 | 603,628 | 55.4 | 190 | 5,759 | Ukrainian |
| EU27 | 449,206,579 | 4,225,104 | 106.32 | 20,287 | 45,163 | 24 |
| EU27+1 | 482,649,579 (  7.44%) | 4,828,732 ( 14.29%) | 99.95 (  5.99%) | 20,477 ( 0.94%) | 42,427 ( 6.06%) | 25 ( 1) |
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