EU urges Ukraine to accelerate reform for membership consideration

The European Commission has proposed a set of indicative roadmaps for membership hopefuls covering Ukraine and three other countries as the European Union warns Kyiv that reform acceleration is necessary to meet its objective of concluding negotiations by the end of 2028.

A common framework will also fast-track candidate alignment with EU energy, transport, digital and defence systems before membership, with related dialogues due to open within the next six months.

The Commission's annual enlargement package on Wednesday sets out specific milestones for potential accession of four most-advanced negotiating countries including Ukraine, Montenegro, Albania, and Moldova.

A report by the EU's executive body affirms Ukraine's commitment to its accession path despite the war with Russia.

The nation has fulfilled the conditions to open remaining groups of negotiating chapters after opening four clusters over the past year.

Brussels is now pressing for a stronger focus on rule-of-law benchmarks, democratic institutions, public administration reform and minority rights.

The Commission says it is supportive of the Ukrainian government's "ambitious" goal of finalising the talks by late 2028, but considers that to meet it, an acceleration of the pace of reforms is required.

In light of progress achieved by Montenegro, which has provisionally closed 21 negotiating chapters, the EU considers negotiations could realistically be closed by the end of this year.

The bloc could sign an accession treaty with Montenegro as soon as June 2027, which will require ratification of all current 27 member states.

"Sustained reform efforts and broad political consensus remain essential for the country's EU future," the Commission underscores.

For frontrunners Albania and Moldova, which aim to conclude accession negotiations in 2027 and early 2028, respectively, the Commission states both goals depend on continued efforts across all remaining chapters.

Albania needs swift delivery on high-quality EU-related reforms in cross-party cooperation and inclusive, constructive dialogue in the Parliament and with civil society, especially in the context of ongoing protests.