EU Agrees to Launch Membership Negotiations for Ukraine

The process of joining the EU through accession negotiations is often lengthy and involves years of work to meet Brussels’ standards.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pose for a picture, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, ahead of EU summit in Kyiv, Ukraine February 2, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS.

The European Union has agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine, a move that Kyiv sees as an important security guarantee for national stability once the war with Russia is over.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President t António Costa said in a June 12 statement that the decision represents a “major step forward.”