The European Union has moved Ukraine's membership bid to the next stage of accession negotiations, Ursula von der Leyen said.
This development marks a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of Europe. It signals a renewed commitment from the EU to integrate Ukraine into its political and economic structures following a period of diplomatic stagnation.
Von der Leyen announced the move during a press conference in Evian, France, on May 27, 2026, ahead of the G7 summit. She described the transition to the next negotiation stage as a "huge step forward" and said, "We are anchoring Ukraine in Europe."
The progress follows a prolonged deadlock. Ukraine's accession process had been stalled for about two years [1] due to a veto from Hungary's former leader, Viktor Orbán. The path for the EU to advance the bid opened after Orbán was defeated in an election in April 2026 [1].
As part of this advancement, Ukraine has opened the first accession-negotiation cluster, which covers six thematic blocks [2]. Von der Leyen said the coming weeks will be important to take decisive steps toward the goal.
Despite the momentum, the timeline for full integration remains a subject of debate. Some reports suggest a realistic target for full EU membership is by 2030 [2]. However, other assessments indicate that the road ahead remains long and uncertain, suggesting the move does not necessarily make the path to full membership easier.
Von der Leyen said the current phase is critical for establishing the framework of Ukraine's future within the union.
“"We are anchoring Ukraine in Europe."”
The removal of Hungary's veto allows the EU to move from political symbolism to technical negotiation. By opening the first cluster of six thematic blocks, the EU is testing Ukraine's ability to align its laws and economy with European standards. While the 2030 target provides a benchmark, the actual speed of accession will depend on Ukraine's internal reforms and the continued political will of all member states.
