Zelenskyy replaces chief negotiator on Ukraine’s EU accession
Photo: Taras Kachka (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has updated the composition of the Ukrainian delegation for negotiations with the European Union on Ukraine’s accession agreement to the EU. Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka has been appointed as the new chief negotiator, the relevant decree, dated February 24, was published on the website of the Office of the President.
Read also: EU Commissioner: Wartime realities require changes to EU enlargement policy
What has changed in the composition of the delegation
The document introduces amendments to the previous decree dated June 21, 2024.
Under the new decision, around two dozen officials — representatives of various ministries and state bodies — have been included in or confirmed as members of the delegation.
Who is leading the negotiations with the EU
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka has been appointed as the chief negotiator and head of the Ukrainian delegation.
He will be responsible for overseeing the negotiation process regarding Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
Who left the delegation
The decree also removes the previous head of the delegation, Olha Stefanishyna, along with 15 other members.
As reported, since late August 2025, Stefanishyna has been serving as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States.
Ukraine’s accession to the EU
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Kyiv expects a clear accession date to the European Union and transparency in the process.
At the same time, the EU is considering several options for incorporating Ukraine’s membership perspective into a future peace agreement, including a phased approach with the provision of preliminary security guarantees. It was previously reported that a possible EU accession for Ukraine in 2027 had been included in a US peace plan, but this provision is currently under review due to the position of certain member states.
In addition, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the European Union as unlikely.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that under the current methodology, membership by 2027 is unrealistic. Therefore, Brussels is considering applying a geopolitical approach to speed up the process.
