The EU intends to start the first round of membership talks with Ukraine in early 2025.
This was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a press conference in Brussels following the European Council meeting.
Ukraine's EU membership: when will the first round of talks begin
The head of the European Commission confirmed that if the Ukrainian side continues to qualitatively reform the state apparatus to the extent necessary to advance toward EU membership, then official Brussels will be ready to open the first round of talks on Ukraine's accession to the bloc in early 2025.
Now watching
— We continue to accompany Ukraine on its path to joining our Union. If Ukraine continues its good work, we should be ready to open the first cluster of accession talks early next year, — von der Leyen said.
EU support for Ukraine
Von der Leyen separately commented on the topic of Ukraine's energy security, since Ukrainian infrastructure facilities are regularly under attack by the Russian Federation.
— We must continue to improve the connection (of Ukraine's power grid, — Ed.) with the European Union grid. We also need to collectively do more to repair and decentralize electricity production. For us, the goal is to keep the lights on in Ukraine during these dark days of the year, — von der Leyen said.
The head of the European Commission also said that 2025 could be a decisive year for the Russian-Ukrainian war.
— It has been almost three years since the Russian invasion. And President Putin is redoubling his efforts to make progress. So helping Ukraine right now — is both a moral and a strategic imperative for us. The world is watching how we support Ukraine, and like the brave Ukrainian resistance, we will be resilient. So we need to make sure that Ukraine wins, — she emphasized.
Ursula von der Leyen added that today the European Union has already provided Ukraine with almost €130 billion. Thanks to this, she continued, “economic and financial stability until the end of 2025” was ensured.
In addition, thanks to the loan for Ukraine and our G7 loan “even a large part of Ukraine's financing gap for 2025 is covered”.
— This is a significant achievement, and it will also allow Ukraine to have more fiscal space to purchase much-needed military equipment, — the head of the EC said.
Recall that the day before, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine seeks to open all negotiating clusters on joining the European Union as early as 2025.
At the same time, the president said that during Poland's presidency of the EU, which will begin on January 1, 2025, Ukraine wants to open from two to six clusters.
In total, 33 of the 35 negotiating sections, which are grouped into six clusters, are being considered as part of the accession of countries to the European Union. Sections 34 and 35 are being considered with each potential EU member state — separately.
