Sustaining Ukraine’s EU Accession Momentum: Reform Delivery, Opening Clusters, and EU Readiness

Ukraine’s EU accession process is entering a decisive phase. The European Commission’s forthcoming annual enlargement report and the potential opening of negotiation clusters represent a watershed moment—one that could set the trajectory for Ukraine and the EU to advance the accession process. That process is critical to Ukraine’s democratic development, postwar recovery, and long-term security amid otherwise unpredictable transatlantic policy currents.
 
By proceeding swiftly with Ukraine’s membership, the EU can go beyond demonstrating its critical geostrategic role to take on the mantle of a leader of the free world. And the current Danish presidency of the Council of the EU offers a golden opportunity to drive Ukraine’s accession forward.
 
Yet the momentum is stalled, and the EU is actively seeking ways to unblock the path forward. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to implement ambitious reforms under wartime conditions, US-led peace negotiations are absorbing international attention, and the Kremlin bets on Western fatigue across multiple fronts.
 
This event will provide a high-level platform in Brussels to discuss Ukraine’s reform progress, examine the technical and political preconditions for opening negotiation clusters, and assess the EU’s readiness for enlargement.
 
Participants will have an opportunity to engage with our distinguished keynote speakers and panelists during respective question and answer sessions. The event will be followed by a networking lunch.

GMF is organizing this event in partnership with the Mission of Ukraine to the EU and prominent Ukrainian civil society organizations.