European Commission submits first screening report on Ukraine's EU membership progress

The EU accession talks are divided into 35 chapters, grouped into six clusters, which are negotiated gradually based on the candidate country's progress. The report, covering the Fundamentals cluster, was delivered to the European Council on Jan. 16.

The document is now being reviewed by the governments of EU member states. Once benchmarks are agreed upon and positions established by all sides, an Intergovernmental Conference will be held to officially open negotiations on the cluster.

The Commission has also noted that Ukraine is undergoing a bilateral review process expected to conclude by fall 2025. Talks on the clusters, including Foundations, are slated to begin in 2025, provided the necessary conditions are met. The Commission reiterated that EU enlargement remains a priority.

“The EU initiated accession talks with Ukraine in June 2024, acknowledging Ukraine's determination to advance its EU accession process and implement transformative reforms despite the ongoing Russian war of aggression,” the document reads.

“Ukraine is steadily moving towards EU membership.”