Overview
- With its 2025 enlargement package, the Commission says Ukraine has met conditions to open clusters 1 (fundamentals), 2 (internal market) and 6 (external relations), and expects the remaining three to be ready by year-end.
- Hungary continues to block formal steps to open negotiations, prompting the Commission to seek a political signal so working-level benchmarks and positions can advance.
- The report lauds wartime reform progress but warns of recent pressure on NABU, SAPO and civil society, urging a decisive reversal and faster rule-of-law reforms.
- Brussels proposes building stronger rule-of-law safeguards into future Accession Treaties to prevent democratic backsliding after entry.
- Kyiv aims to conclude talks by end-2028, which the Commission deems achievable only with accelerated reforms, as EU leaders call admissions by 2030 a realistic goal for select candidates and list Ukraine among the frontrunners.