Media: EU signals possible start of Ukraine accession talks this week

European Union leaders have indicated that preliminary conditions are in place for Ukraine to begin the first stage of the bloc’s membership process, marking a political boost for Kyiv’s long-standing bid to join the EU.

At a summit held in Cyprus on April 23, EU leaders agreed that the first accession negotiations with Ukraine could be launched in the coming weeks and months, an EU official told Bloomberg, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The development comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to press European leaders for a clear roadmap toward full EU membership, rejecting proposals for alternative or “symbolic” integration models.

Ukraine is expected to argue that it deserves full membership status rather than any intermediate arrangements that have been discussed by some member states, according to officials familiar with the matter.

By Sabina Mammadli