Ukraine's 2027 EU bid: Why Lithuania may play decisive role
Photo: Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Lithuania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027 could play a key role in Ukraine’s European integration, stated Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in an interview with European Pravda.
He noted that 2027 as a target year for Ukraine’s EU accession, mentioned in the so-called 20-point plan, is aligned with European partners.
Coordination with Europe and caution regarding dates
Sybiha emphasized that the document cannot include provisions that have not been agreed with the European Union. At the same time, the minister stressed that it is fundamentally important for Ukraine to understand the timeline for EU accession, although the specific date remains a complex issue.
He noted that there is general support for Ukraine’s membership in the European states, but positions vary regarding the exact year of accession.
"Therefore, I am personally very cautious, and note that I am not naming any specific date. It is also important not to create excessive expectations. But I can clearly see realistic timeframes for our accession," the Foreign Minister said.
Working with future EU presidencies
He stated that Ukraine is already actively cooperating not only with the current Cypriot presidency of the EU Council but also with the upcoming Irish and Lithuanian presidencies.
"We really want Lithuania’s EU presidency to be historic. It begins in the first half of 2027," he said.
EU interest in Ukraine’s membership
Sybiha also noted that the European Union is interested in Ukraine’s accession as soon as possible, as membership is not only a security guarantee for Kyiv but also a factor in enhancing the competitiveness and security of the EU itself. According to him, this understanding is already present among European partners.
