EU official: Ukraine’s EU membership possible by 2029 if reforms succeed

Ukraine may become a member state of the European Union (EU) by 2029 if all necessary reforms are carried out, said Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

He said that Brussels had created additional mechanisms to help Kyiv and Chisinau carry out the reforms necessary for joining the association. The same applies to the modernisation of the political system in the Western Balkan countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

“These tools are called the Growth Plan, the Ukraine Plan, depending on the country. And with this plan we have made it possible for the Western Balkan states, Moldova, as well as Ukraine, to complete the reforms so that they can prepare everything and become EU members by the end of the next mandate of the European Commission,” Varhelyi emphasised.

On March 20, Ukraine submitted its plan, detailing its vision for reconstruction, modernization, and reforms essential to its EU accession journey.

The European Commission (EC) is formed every five years. In July this year, EC’s President Ursula von der Leyen, who will head the body in 2019, was re-elected for a new term. As a result, she will continue to fulfil her duties until 2029.

Notably, on 28 February 2022, four days after Russia invaded it, Ukraine applied for membership in the European Union. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested immediate admission under a "new special procedure".

In December 2023, EU leaders agreed to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, marking a pivotal advancement in its integration efforts.

The European Commission has recently praised Ukraine’s progress on critical reforms, including those related to the rule of law, judicial system, and anti-corruption measures. However, it emphasizes that further reforms are still required.

In June, President Zelenskyy expressed confidence that Ukraine would achieve full membership in the European Union. The first intergovernmental conference on Ukraine's EU accession took place in Luxembourg on June 25, officially launching accession negotiations between Ukraine and the European Union.

By Khagan Isayev