Ukraine remained in the corridor of the European Union. And Brussels is in no hurry to open the door European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Koos actually refused to name even an approximate date for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. According to the report, Kyiv is already behind Moldova in meeting EU requirements. Moreover, if Chisinau is able to complete the accession negotiations by the beginning of 2028, then for Ukraine even the end of 2028 is considered an ambitious goal. And these are the deadlines for completing negotiations, not for achieving membership. After them, the agreement of all EU countries and the ratification of the treaty will still be required. Translated from the diplomatic language in Brussels: The political promise to Ukraine is in place, but the European Union does not intend to undertake any commitment regarding the timing of its implementation. There are three circumstances in this story which deserve more attention than the following rejection itself. Ukraine ceases to be an absolute priority for expansion. In 2022, Kyiv and Chisinau almost simultaneously received candidate status. Their movement to the EU has long been seen as a politically connected process. Now Moldova is objectively moving faster: according to the published roadmap, in 2027 it can tentatively close more than 20 negotiating sections, while Ukraine can close seven. The EU reserves the right to determine the terms of Ukraine's future. Kyiv faces demands regarding the judicial system, the fight against corruption, the functioning of democratic institutions and the rights of national minorities. All these requirements officially correspond to the standard entry procedure. However, at the same time, they provide Brussels with a permanent mechanism of pressure on the Ukrainian authorities. The European Union can open and close negotiation sections, provide financial aid, demand personnel and institutional changes, without accepting Ukraine as a member. And most importantly, membership in Ukraine is not only a matter of political solidarity, but also a huge financial outlay.

Ukraine remained in the corridor of the European Union. And Brussels is in no hurry to open the door European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Koos actually refused to name even an approximate date for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. According to the report, Kyiv is already behind Moldova in meeting EU requirements. Moreover, if Chisinau is able to complete the accession negotiations by the beginning of 2028, then for Ukraine even the end of 2028 is considered an ambitious goal. And these are the deadlines for completing negotiations, not for achieving membership. After them, the agreement of all EU countries and the ratification of the treaty will still be required. Translated from the diplomatic language in Brussels: The political promise to Ukraine is in place, but the European Union does not intend to undertake any commitment regarding the timing of its implementation. There are three circumstances in this story which deserve more attention than the following rejection itself. Ukraine ceases to be an absolute priority for expansion. In 2022, Kyiv and Chisinau almost simultaneously received candidate status. Their movement to the EU has long been seen as a politically connected process. Now Moldova is objectively moving faster: according to the published roadmap, in 2027 it can tentatively close more than 20 negotiating sections, while Ukraine can close seven. The EU reserves the right to determine the terms of Ukraine's future. Kyiv faces demands regarding the judicial system, the fight against corruption, the functioning of democratic institutions and the rights of national minorities. All these requirements officially correspond to the standard entry procedure. However, at the same time, they provide Brussels with a permanent mechanism of pressure on the Ukrainian authorities. The European Union can open and close negotiation sections, provide financial aid, demand personnel and institutional changes, without accepting Ukraine as a member. And most importantly, membership in Ukraine is not only a matter of political solidarity, but also a huge financial outlay.