Ukraine could join EU as soon as next year, Serbian leader says

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has said that Ukraine’s accession to the EU will take place next year, as part of a plan to end the war in Ukraine.

“Now I will tell you something I heard, and I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true. So, I learned that as part of a peace plan, if it is achieved between Russia and Ukraine, not only one side but a significant part of the international community will be obliged to follow the plan. One of the points of the plan is that Ukraine will become a member of the European Union on January 1, 2027 — which is effectively tomorrow,” Vučić said, Caliber.Az reports via RBC-Ukraine.

He added that for the killings to stop and the peace plan to be implemented, Ukraine must become an EU member. However, the Serbian president noted that several countries would oppose Ukraine’s accession to the bloc.

He predicted opposition from several member states: “Neither Poland, nor Czechia, nor Hungary, nor Slovakia will agree with this. There will be a change in procedures - and it will be done by force, contrary to regulations and all other rules,” Vučić said.

The US peace plan envisions Ukraine joining the European Union on an accelerated timeline - no later than 2027. Washington believes it can overcome resistance from Hungary and other countries opposed to the move.  

However, there are certain challenges surrounding Ukraine’s fast-tracked EU accession. For example, in December 2025, Reuters reported that the EU believes membership by 2027 is impossible, as Ukraine has not yet officially completed even one of the 36 stages of the accession process.

By Khagan Isayev