Background

Ukraine, which formally requested to join the EU a few days after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, was granted candidate status in June 2022. In December 2023, EU Member States agreed to open accession negotiations, concluding that Ukraine had met the preconditions. The first intergovernmental conference – marking the formal opening of accession negotiations – took place on 25 June 2024. The EU and Ukraine completed the screening process for all thematic negotiating clusters in September 2025. Cluster 1 (fundamentals) negotiations opened on 15 June 2026, following the lifting of Hungary's veto after its April general election. Ukraine aims to open the remaining clusters by mid-July 2026.

The Commission's 2025 report notes that Ukraine has shown remarkable resilience and commitment to its EU path despite the escalation of Russia's war of aggression and the challenges it poses to reforming the country. The report, which includes recommendations for all negotiating chapters, notes that Ukraine has adopted roadmaps on the rule of law, public administration reform and the functioning of democratic institutions, as well as an action plan on national minorities. Among the notable concerns identified, the report highlights the need to ensure a robust and independent anti-corruption framework, as later exemplified by the results of the anti-corruption investigation, Operation Midas.

European Parliament position

The AFET committee adopted its own-initiative report on the 2025 Commission report on Ukraine on 3 June 2026. Concerning Russia's war of aggression, the report stresses that 'peace negotiations must be preceded by a sustainable ceasefire', while any peace agreement, to be just and sustainable, should respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and should not harm Ukrainian and EU strategic interests, including by placing limitations on Ukraine's defence capabilities or its possibility to choose its allies. The report states that any agreement aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine 'can only be reached with the participation of the EU and its Member States', as it would have profound implications for the European security order. Moreover, the report regrets that 'Russia has shown no willingness towards sustainable peace and only uses its diplomatic contacts with the United States as part of a psychological warfare campaign to undermine international support for Ukraine' and calls therefore for increased pressure on Russia.

Regarding EU membership negotiations, the report states that 'while the EU enlargement process must remain strictly merit-based … enlargement constitutes a mutually beneficial geostrategic investment in peace, stability and security on the European continent' and therefore 'recognises Ukraine's European integration as a strategic priority for the Union'. The report emphasises the need to intensify the fight against corruption, including by safeguarding the independence and effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions. The report specifies that the Ukrainian authorities should guarantee the institutional and operational independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), as safeguarding NABU and SAPO 'is a core prerequisite for the rule of law, Ukraine's EU accession process and the credible use of international support'.

Own-initiative report: 2025/2259(INI); Committee responsible: AFET; Rapporteur: Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany).