Overview
- The European Commission concludes Ukraine is ready to open clusters 1 (fundamentals), 2 (internal market) and 6 (external relations), with work on remaining areas continuing.
- The report praises wartime reform efforts but warns that pressure on specialised anti-corruption bodies must be reversed after a July attempt to expand the prosecutor general’s control sparked protests and a swift U-turn.
- With Hungary blocking formal openings, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urges member states to give a political signal so technical screening, benchmarks and negotiating positions can proceed.
- The Commission proposes stronger safeguards in future Accession Treaties to prevent democratic backsliding and to protect rule-of-law gains after entry.
- Moldova, Albania and Montenegro are credited with advancing reform agendas, while Georgia is faulted for serious democratic backsliding; Kyiv’s goal to conclude talks by 2028 is deemed possible only with faster rule-of-law reforms.