According to the Financial Times, Ukraine has presented the United States with a peace plan that includes the goal of joining the European Union by 1 January 2027. This is one of the most ambitious deadlines in the history of European enlargement, and according to sources cited by the Financial Times, achieving it would require a fundamental overhaul of the Union's standard accession procedures.
EU accession usually takes more than ten years and involves the systematic harmonisation of the candidate country's legislation with EU law. The process involves dozens of technical chapters, judicial reforms, changes in the areas of democracy, the fight against corruption and economic rules. The Financial Times points out that Kiev's proposal would significantly speed up these steps, or possibly partially bypass the traditional mechanisms used by the EU.
Hungarian veto blocks formal start of negotiations
One of the main problems is still the veto of Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Hungary is blocking the start of formal accession talks, which must be approved unanimously by all Member States. The AP agency points out that Orbán has long refused to open accession chapters during the ongoing war, citing security and political risks as justification for his actions.
In November, Euronews reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Hungary's approach as a decision that effectively helps Russia because it slows down Ukraine's integration and blocks its progress towards European structures. Some EU Member States share the view that Hungary is using its veto as a political tool outside the accession process itself.
Technical procedure despite blockage
To keep the process moving forward, the EU and Ukraine have agreed on a joint ten-point action plan that will allow reforms to continue even without the formal opening of accession chapters. Euronews reported that the plan includes strengthening the rule of law, reforming the judiciary, improving the fight against corruption and other structural changes that are prerequisites for membership.
According to statements by European Commission representatives, Ukraine has already come close to fulfilling several key requirements. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kosová said that Ukraine's integration is a strategic issue for the EU, although she pointed out that the final decision on accession must be made unanimously by the Member States.
Outlook for the future
According to The Guardian, 2027 remains an extremely ambitious and politically complicated deadline. Without the removal of Hungary's veto, it will not be possible to open negotiations at all. Nevertheless, many European leaders consider Ukraine's membership to be key to Europe's future security and support continued technical progress.
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