EU diplomats set fast-track agenda for Ukraine’s EU membership in 2025

Senior official announced on January 28 that the European Union is pushing to expedite Ukraine's path to membership by aiming to open two negotiating "clusters" during the first half of this year, Caliber.Az reports referring to Politico.

Ukraine, alongside Moldova, has begun the process of joining the EU, marking what could be the bloc’s largest expansion in over two decades. This push for quicker integration comes as Kyiv aims to solidify its position ahead of anticipated peace talks with Russia. Achieving EU membership would be a major success for Ukraine, which is also seeking to join NATO.

Kaja Kallas, a top EU diplomat, underscored the need for the EU to expand further, stating, "It’s necessary for the EU to develop further and have new member states. We need also to increase the pressure on Russia to stop this war." She was speaking at a conference alongside Swedish Europe Minister Jessica Rosencrantz and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.

Although Ukraine has received the legal approval to begin negotiations with Brussels, it has not yet launched the first cluster of negotiations. The entire process involves six clusters, subdivided into 35 chapters.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos explained that “from a technical point of view, we can be ready to open two clusters for Ukraine in the first half of the year.” However, she made it clear that any progress depends on the approval of all EU member states, who must consent to each step. Hungary, in particular, has been vocal in its opposition to Ukraine’s EU membership, with Kos adding, “It’s not possible without the member states.”

By Tamilla Hasanova