Overview
- The European Commission’s report says Ukraine has shown remarkable commitment during the war and assesses clusters 1 (fundamentals), 2 (internal market) and 6 (external relations) as ready to open.
- Formal openings remain on hold due to Hungary’s veto, and the Commission is pressing for political signals and technical benchmarks to keep negotiations moving at working level.
- The report warns that recent pressure on anti-corruption agencies and civil society must be decisively reversed and calls for stronger judicial independence and action against organized crime.
- Kyiv’s goal to conclude accession talks by end‑2028 is labeled ambitious, with Brussels saying a clear acceleration on rule‑of‑law reforms is required to stay on that timetable.
- EU leaders praised Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova as reform frontrunners, with top officials calling EU entry by 2030 a realistic possibility, and President Zelensky urged Viktor Orban to drop Hungary’s block on Ukraine’s bid.