Ukraine, EU thinks about launching negotiations on first accession chapters in early 2025

Brussels – Ukraine’s accession: it can and it must be done. Soon, very soon. For the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, “we should be ready to open negotiations on the core cluster in early 2025 and on the other clusters later this year.” Here is the political timetable for the leaders, who will talk precisely about Ukraine at the first Costa-led European Council summit. The political message intended to be given personally to the Ukrainian president, Volodymir Zelensky, in town for the occasion, is of continued and unwavering support, which comes through membership.

The possibility of opening negotiating chapters for EU membership is real. The commitment for Kyiv has already been certified by the granting of candidate country status with a de facto accelerated procedure, and, due to the propensity and willingness around the table, those close to the dossier assure that the opening of negotiations appears ripe. The real unknown, if anything, is about the timetable. Early 2025 means right away; it is a deadline around the corner. But if von der Leyen exposes herself in this way before the European Parliament, it is because she knows that the consensus is there. But… as always, there is at least one but related to a tortuous and long path. Something like 150 unanimous votes are needed between the beginning and the end of the path to EU membership, and every time, for every little thing, everything can get jammed up. In short, anything can happen. The big unknowns are the possible bilateral disputes, such as that between Ukraine, Hungary, and Slovakia over gas transit. Dispelling these disputes turns out to be crucial. The dispute in question would be resolved for the community executive, and thus, the hurdle passed. Hence, onward with the opening of the negotiating chapters.

Opening the key cluster for Kyiv means starting work on the chapters on the judiciary and fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security, public procurement, statistics, financial control, economic criteria, functioning of democratic institutions, and public administration reform.