EditEU signals start of Ukraine accession talks in coming weeks or months
Zelenskyy was particularly firm in rejecting proposals for a faster but limited “associate membership” path pushed by France and Germany
European Union leaders have indicated that preliminary conditions are now in place for Ukraine to begin the first stage of its membership process, offering a boost to Kyiv’s long-term ambitions amid the ongoing war with Russia.
According to a Bloomberg report, at an informal summit in Cyprus on Thursday, EU leaders agreed that the first accession negotiations could start in the coming weeks or months, per an anonymous EU official. However, no firm timeline for full membership was set. The article notes that even Croatia’s accession – the last country to join the bloc – took about a decade.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who traveled to Cyprus in person, welcomed the step forward. “This is not just a positive decision, it’s not about just words,” he said upon arrival. “It’s also about surviving.”
Zelenskyy was particularly firm in rejecting proposals for a faster but limited “associate membership” path pushed by France and Germany. Such an option would offer some integration and participation in EU programs without full rights, including no voting rights or immediate access to the bloc’s budget.
“Ukraine does not need symbolic membership in the EU,” Zelenskyy said in remarks released by his office. “Ukraine is defending itself, and undoubtedly defending Europe as well. And it’s not defending Europe symbolically – people are truly dying.”
He added: “We are defending our shared European values. I believe that we deserve full membership in the European Union.”
The developments come after Hungary dropped its veto on a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine following Viktor Orbán’s electoral defeat, with hopes that incoming leadership under Péter Magyar will further unblock Kyiv’s EU path.
Still, many member states remain cautious over impacts on the EU budget, agriculture, and transport sectors.
Several EU member states continue to voice concerns over persistent corruption in Ukraine, with some diplomats describing the country as ‘not ready and rife with corruption,’ warning that accelerated accession could undermine ongoing anti-graft reforms.
EU officials have also highlighted the need for further progress on rule of law reforms and media freedom, urging Kyiv to reverse recent negative trends, including pressure on anti-corruption bodies and ensuring the independence of media regulators, as key benchmarks for advancing accession talks.
With Bloomberg, edited by g.g.
Caption: (L-R) French President Emmanuel Macron, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic walk for a family picture during an informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, 23 April 2026. EU leaders are expected to address current geopolitical developments and Europe’s response to them. EPA/GEORGE CHRISTOFOROU
Updated: April 24, 2026 - 16:10
