A turning point in Ukraine's EU accession negotiations.
On June 15, the European Union moved Ukraine's EU accession application to the next stage, after a long delay. However, this does not mean that Kyiv's path to full membership will become easier.
According to AFP, the foreign ministers of the 27-member bloc will officially launch negotiations with Ukraine and neighboring Moldova to adjust to the first "group of provisions" of EU law.
Ukraine's progress was stalled for about two years due to a veto from Hungary's nationalist leader, Viktor Orban. However, Peter Magyar's victory in Hungary's April elections has opened a path forward for Ukraine.
According to AFP, despite statements and calls to expedite the process from Ukraine after four years of applying for EU membership, the war-torn country is unlikely to join the "common home" anytime soon.
In practical terms, a significant amount of work remains to be done for Ukraine to synchronize its legal system, institutions, and standards with the EU. This process requires negotiations across 35 "chapters" covering every area: from the environment and agriculture to justice and security. All of these are grouped into six "sections of provisions".
However, as is often the case in the EU, this issue is deeply political. Any member state could find reasons to slow down Kyiv's accession process.
An unnamed European diplomat told AFP: "This is a long process. Ukraine is in conflict, and has other problems to solve. If it joins, it would be the third largest country in the EU. The prospect of EU expansion with Ukraine's early inclusion has never been realistic."
For example, Hungarian Prime Minister Magyar has pledged to hold a referendum on Ukraine's accession to the bloc if Kyiv completes all negotiations "within the next 10 to 15 years".
Furthermore, a broader trend is emerging toward moderating Kyiv's ambitions, accompanied by increasing discussions about alternative options.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in April: "Everyone understands that Ukraine's immediate accession to the EU is impossible."
Mr. Merz proposed making Ukraine a non-voting "associate member" of the EU, while Kyiv pursued a lengthy process to become a full member.
This approach has met with skepticism from Ukraine. Kyiv fears that any temporary solution could leave them permanently stuck in a state of limbo. President Volodymyr Zelensky insists that Ukraine's EU accession process must be "complete and with full rights."
