Ukraine makes reform breakthroughs, EU Commission report reveals
Photo: Taras Kachka (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The European Commission has published a report as part of the EU Enlargement Package, which analyzes the progress of candidate countries and potential candidates, according to Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.
According to him, this year's report is Ukraine's best since 2023.
"We have received the best assessment since 2023, and it reflects the results of systemic reforms implemented despite all the challenges of the war. We are also grateful to our European colleagues for their recommendations, which we are ready to implement in a high-quality manner and in close cooperation with all parties involved and the European Union," Kachka emphasizes.
Report key findings
Cluster 1 Fundamentals of the EU Accession Process
The European Commission noted progress in the areas of justice, freedom, and security, and also raised its assessment of reforms in public administration, financial control, and compliance with economic criteria.
Cluster 2 Internal Market
Ukraine received a higher rating for the free movement of workers and the level of preparedness in the areas of consumer protection and health care. The restoration of market surveillance and the transition to sectoral control in line with EU standards were noted positively.
Cluster 3 - Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth
This area was one of the most dynamic in 2025: Ukraine showed significant progress in six of the eight sections, demonstrating the country's ability to rapidly implement the EU acquis.
Cluster 4 - Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity
The European Commission noted good progress in climate and environmental policy: Ukraine is updating its National Energy and Climate Plan, continuing to reform its energy security system, and harmonizing its approaches with European trans-European networks.
Cluster 5 - Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion policy
Ukraine received an increased overall rating in the “Agriculture” section, which was the result of systematic work on adapting agricultural policy to EU standards.
Cluster 6 - External Relations
Ukraine has traditionally demonstrated a high degree of alignment with EU foreign and security policy. The European Commission noted good progress: Kyiv ensured 99% compliance with EU positions and supported 79 out of 80 foreign policy declarations.
Ukraine fulfilled preconditions for opening 3 clusters of negotiations
Kachka emphasized that the European Commission has confirmed Ukraine's fulfillment of all the preconditions for opening negotiations on Cluster 1, Cluster 2, and Cluster 6. The next steps will be to implement the European Commission's new recommendations and roadmaps in the areas of the rule of law, public administration reform, democratic institutions, and the protection of national minorities' rights.
Ukraine's accession to EU
The European Union is still unable to officially start negotiations on Ukraine's accession due to Budapest's blockade. The Hungarian government, which maintains a pro-Russian position, has vetoed the start of the negotiation process.
The European Commission will soon reveal a report on the progress of Ukraine and other candidate countries. According to preliminary expectations, Ukraine's assessment in the document will be mostly positive.
