President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is on the right track toward European Union membership and pledged to maintain a clear timetable for accession talks.
This development marks a significant diplomatic shift as the EU moves toward integrating Ukraine and Moldova. The agreement signals a collective European commitment to expanding the bloc's borders despite ongoing geopolitical instability.
Speaking in Kyiv on June 4, 2026, Zelenskyy said the progress made toward the union was significant. The announcement followed a decision by all 27 [1] EU member states to officially launch the first accession talks with both Ukraine and Moldova [1], [2].
Zelenskyy said the country is moving forward with the necessary reforms to meet EU standards. The commitment to a specific timetable is intended to provide a predictable path for the legal and political changes required for full membership.
While the start of talks is a critical milestone, the process remains complex. The EU typically requires candidate countries to meet a rigorous set of criteria, known as the Copenhagen criteria, regarding political stability, human rights, and economic viability.
All 27 [1] member states must eventually agree to the final admission of a new member. The current agreement to start talks with two countries [1] represents a rare moment of total unanimity among the bloc's leadership. This consensus is seen as a strategic move to anchor Ukraine more firmly within the Western political and economic sphere.
“Ukraine is 'on the right track' toward European Union membership”
The unanimous agreement by all EU member states to begin accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova suggests a strategic pivot in European foreign policy. By creating a formal timetable, the EU is providing a tangible political incentive for Ukraine to continue domestic reforms. However, the transition from starting talks to full membership is often a multi-year process that requires significant legislative alignment with EU law.
