Given Ukraine’s Progress, We Must Open All Negotiation Clusters By Year’s End — Kallas

Ukraine is making rapid progress with reforms while facing ongoing warfare, according to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. She asserted that all clusters in negotiations concerning Ukraine's accession to the European Union must be opened by the conclusion of the year. Kallas highlighted that Ukraine's unprecedented reforms during wartime are noteworthy, pointing out that no candidate country has ever undertaken such extensive reforms while engaged in conflict.

The EU High Representative emphasized that the European Commission is focusing on the security aspect in EU enlargement this year, and Ukraine is already contributing significantly in this regard. The special correspondent for FREEДОМ in Europe, UATV English, reported on Kallas' remarks during the presentation of the European Commission's 2026 enlargement package.

The report this year places a greater emphasis on the security aspect of enlargement, introducing a dedicated Article 4 focused on security and defense. Over the past year, most candidate countries have strengthened their positions and maintained alignment with the EU's foreign and security policy. Ukraine, in particular, has demonstrated exceptional combat experience and plays a crucial role in Europe's security, serving as the country's first line of defense against Russia.

Kallas noted that Kyiv's combat experience is unparalleled and of critical importance for Europe's overall security and defense capabilities. The European Union aims to open the remaining two negotiation clusters by the end of 2026. While Ukraine has already opened four of the six clusters, progress in negotiations is impeded by Hungary's stance.