European Commission Presents Plan For Preparing EU Enlargement: What Will Change For Ukraine

The European Commission has proposed significant changes to the conditions for future European Union members, including Ukraine. This plan outlines how the EU will prepare for the next phase of enlargement. Four countries - Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine - have been identified as frontrunners for potential membership.

A preliminary roadmap will be presented for these states in October, detailing indicative timelines and deliverables. This aims to provide greater predictability on the path to accession. The European Commission is also proposing to open negotiation clusters by qualified majority rather than unanimously. This would prevent any single state from blocking the entire process, as has repeatedly occurred with Ukraine.

Phased integration before official accession is another key element of the plan. Ukraine could join EU policies in energy, transport, digitalization, and defense earlier, but only if it carries out reforms. Access granted could be withdrawn if conditions aren't met. The EU's 2028-2034 budget includes €100 billion for Ukraine under the Global Europe program.

After full accession, Ukraine would transition to standard financial relationship formats with Brussels, although there may be limitations on support and EU market access for sensitive agricultural products.

To protect EU farmers, Brussels may limit assistance and market access for sensitive agricultural products from the EU. Future accession treaties will contain strengthened guarantees, allowing for the stripping of voting rights in the Council of the EU if a new member backslides on reforms or violates core EU values. Transition periods are also possible, such as on the issue of free movement of labor.

The European Commission will present an indicative accession roadmap for Ukraine on October 28, along with similar documents for Moldova, Montenegro, and Albania. The main condition remains maintaining the pace of reforms.