EU Report Ranks Ukraine Top Candidate for Membership
Brussels placed Kyiv in the leading group of four nations, citing progress in digital and economic sectors despite ongoing war.
By Rafael Delgado ·
Ukraine secured a top-tier ranking in the European Union’s annual assessment of membership candidates. The European Commission released its enlargement package on November 4, identifying Kyiv as one of four states that have made the most progress toward joining the bloc. The report places Ukraine in the same category as Moldova, Montenegro, and Albania, distinguishing them from the other six candidate nations.
European officials noted that Ukraine has maintained momentum on key sectoral reforms while fighting a war. The Commission’s press release stated that the country’s institutional framework for combating corruption remains effective. Specialized anti-corruption institutions continue to operate with independence and effectiveness, according to the document.
The annual report categorizes the ten candidate countries into three distinct groups based on their recent trajectories. The first group, which includes Ukraine, is described as making steady progress and actively moving toward membership. A second group, comprising North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, is characterized as stagnating. The third group, consisting of Serbia, Georgia, and Türkiye, is experiencing regression in certain areas or prolonged blockages in negotiations.
Brussels highlighted specific areas where Ukraine recorded good progress. These include public administration reform, economic competitiveness, digital transformation, financial services, customs, energy, agriculture, and science and education. The Commission also pointed to the need for Ukraine to accelerate judicial and anti-corruption reforms. Kyiv must fulfill commitments set out in its rule of law roadmap.
Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, said Ukraine intends to continue its EU integration efforts in step with Moldova. The two countries are positioned to move forward together as part of the leading group. To support the remaining reforms, Ukraine’s government and the European Commission established a joint Task Force early in the process.
The Task Force aims to secure approval for draft laws concerning the rule of law and anti-corruption within several months. These are two areas the Commission flagged as requiring faster progress. The enlargement package serves as the principal benchmark for how close candidate countries are to meeting membership conditions. It shapes the pace of negotiations in the months ahead.
Ukraine’s placement in the top group reflects the Commission’s view that the country is advancing despite the conflict. The report provides a clear snapshot of the current state of accession talks. The next steps will depend on the implementation of the judicial reforms outlined in the document.
