Zelenskyy on the European Commission's report: Ukraine has shown steady progress towards EU membership

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the European Commission's annual report on the enlargement of the European Union, which covers all candidate states. According to him, Ukraine's progress towards EU membership became possible thanks to the joint efforts of millions of citizens.

The Head of State wrote about this on the social network «Х».

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that this year's report of the European Commission confirmed that Ukraine was confidently moving towards EU membership and was ready to open negotiating clusters 1, 2 and 6.

«This is the best assessment to date — proof that even during a full-scale war, Ukraine continues to reform and transform in line with European standards. Ukraine's progress towards the EU has been achieved thanks to the efforts of millions of our citizens», the President noted.

He also expressed hope that the European Union would make decisive decisions to remove all artificial barriers on the way to a strong and united Europe.

«Unity and strength are two key elements for the success of the European project and ensuring security, prosperity and peace for all European peoples. We are committed to strengthening Europe and our values together», Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded.

As a reminder, the draft report of the European Commission, published by Reuters, states that Ukraine continues to demonstrate «extraordinary commitment» to its European integration course despite the war, but must step up rule of law reforms and strengthen anti-corruption efforts.

The document states that despite the difficult circumstances caused by Russian aggression, Ukraine remains «extremely committed» to the EU accession path. At the same time, the European Commission emphasises the need for greater progress in ensuring the independence of the judiciary, fighting organised crime and protecting civil society.

Earlier, the European Parliament's rapporteur on Ukraine, Michael Gahler, suggested that Ukraine could become a member of the European Union even if part of its territory remained occupied at the time of accession.

Ukraine's accession to the EU

Back in autumn 2023 , Ukraine fully fulfilled four of the seven requirements for the candidate status.

In December 2023, at a summit in Brussels, EU leaders endorsed the European Commission's recommendation to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the EU's decision to open negotiations a victory for the whole of Europe.

In January 2024, in preparation for the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, a screening meeting on Ukrainian legislation was held in Brussels.

At the time, European Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn noted that Ukraine' s planned accession to the EU could lead to an increase in the EU budget of up to 20%.

Subsequently, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine had fulfilled all the conditions for starting negotiations on accession to the European Union, and now the EU side must fulfil its obligations.

It should also be recalled that Hungary does not plan to agree to Ukraine and the European Union opening the first cluster of negotiations on the country's accession to the bloc.

In September 2025, Ukraine and the European Commission started screening meetings on the last cluster of accession negotiations, which concerns agriculture.