European Commission says Ukraine’s EU accession could take 10–15 years

The European Commission believes Ukraine will need at least another 10 to 15 years to meet the key requirements for joining the European Union, Financial Times reports.

Sources within the European Commission said there was still no unified position inside the EU regarding the timeline and format of Ukraine’s potential membership.

Some member states are open to accelerated procedures and are also discussing the option of "limited rights" — with no voting power, but "benefits which would be extended over time to new policy areas as it met the requirements."

The idea is being considered in particular by France and Germany, though it is viewed sceptically within the European Commission.

At the same time, there is a broad consensus across the EU on the need to integrate Ukraine, while disagreements persist over the pace and conditions of the process.

Ukraine was granted EU candidate status in the summer of 2022.

As the FT notes, EU enlargement is being approached cautiously due to concerns that new members could complicate decision-making, particularly in areas requiring unanimity.

These concerns apply not only to Ukraine but also to other candidate countries.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov