Yesterday at 20:01
Ukraine’s EU accession will not be a bargaining chip in talks with Russia, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said ahead of an informal meeting of EU ministers for European affairs in Copenhagen.
“There is no way back, and I agree with our President Ursula von der Leyen that membership in the EU is also a political aspect of security guarantees. I see it the same way. On Ukraine’s accession process there is truly no way back,” Kos stated.
She stressed that Europe cannot be secure without stabilizing the continent, and that EU enlargement plays a crucial role in this effort. Today’s ministerial discussions focus on both Ukraine and Moldova, two countries that have “done their homework” and completed the screening process across all six clusters this year.
Kos underlined that there will be no geopolitical shortcuts in the accession process: the rule of law, democracy, and human rights remain the foundation. While acknowledging Ukraine’s reforms under wartime conditions, she noted that further steps on anti-corruption and judicial reform are still required, but that Brussels remains in close contact with Kyiv.
She also emphasized that the EU should move forward with Ukraine and Moldova together, at least at the beginning of negotiations:
“Later the paths will naturally diverge, as reforms and cluster negotiations progress, but it is important to start together.”
Addressing Hungary’s blocking of opening certain negotiation clusters with Ukraine, Kos said the Commission is engaging with Budapest but highlighted that this is a historic moment requiring unity among all 27 EU members.
“We face external destructive forces who want to see us fail. That is why unity is essential.”
According to Kos, the technical work is advancing at an unprecedented pace, with the EU completing all cluster screenings within a single year — something never done before. Yet, she added, political will and consensus will remain decisive.
