Ukraine's EU entry could happen as early as 2027, officials say
Photo: Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Not only the US government but also the American financial market believes that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union can be significantly accelerated. As a result, 2027 as a potential accession date is becoming increasingly realistic, according to Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, during a briefing at the Office of the President following a meeting with national security advisers.
“There is good news: it’s not just the US government. The US financial market also views EU accession as a cornerstone of Ukraine’s economic development. We have a standard expectations calendar that was outlined last fall during the presentation of the enlargement report — not by the Ukrainian government, but by the European Commission,” Kachka said.
According to him, the plan was to complete preparations for accession by the end of 2026 and to finish negotiations by the end of 2028. That would mean that in 2028 Ukraine would be negotiating not only the fulfillment of conditions but also the Accession Treaty — the document required for EU membership.
Ratification of all documents and Ukraine’s actual entry into the EU were initially planned for 2030. However, some elements — including the international treaty and its ratification — could be significantly shortened.
“That’s why the more ambitious date currently being discussed within the 20-point peace plan is also realistic, and there is already some understanding of how this timeline could be compressed… very theoretically, extremely record-breaking, but possible,” Kachka concluded.
It should be recalled that the US peace plan envisions Ukraine joining the EU on an accelerated timeline — no later than 2027. Washington is confident it can overcome resistance from Hungary and other countries that may oppose Ukraine’s accession to the bloc.
However, there are challenges. According to Reuters, the EU believes Ukraine’s accession is impossible by 2027. Ukraine has still not officially completed even one of the 36 accession chapters.
European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier told RBC-Ukraine in early December 2025 that the timing of Ukraine’s EU accession depends on the implementation of reforms. At the same time, the Ukrainian government has stated its intention to complete accession negotiations by the end of 2028.
