EU poised to open membership discussions with Ukraine and Moldova on June 25

The first intergovernmental conferences are scheduled for June 25, following an "agreement in principle" among EU ambassadors. However, this decision awaits formal approval at an EU ministers' meeting also set for June 21, and in the case of the Netherlands, parliamentary approval is required.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated in a Bloomberg TV interview in September 2022 that Ukraine has fulfilled about 65-70% of its commitments under the Association Agreement with the EU. During a Brussels press conference, he expressed hope that negotiation procedures could commence by early next year.

In May 2023, Shmyhal optimistically noted that Ukraine might be ready to join the EU within two years. Further backing came from the European Commission, which recommended starting accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova on November 8, 2023. The European Council then voted to support the initiation of these talks on December 14, with 26 out of 27 member states in favor.

According to European Council President Charles Michel, Ukraine could potentially join the EU by 2030. As of late, Shmyhal reaffirmed on March 20, 2024, that negotiations were expected to begin by the end of June this year. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová echoed this timeline on April 25, confirming readiness for negotiations to start.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also indicated on April 30 that negotiations could commence as soon as June. Meanwhile, Politico reported on May 21 that Brussels officials are advocating for the talks to begin this month.

Despite the general consensus, a decision to start negotiations was stalled on June 7 due to objections from Hungary. However, on June 14, a framework for negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova was successfully agreed upon by EU member states.