Brussels applauds Ukraine's steps to join the EU but warns of "negative trends" in corruption

BrusselsThe future of Ukraine is completely tied to the European Union. Or is this Brussels' intention?The European Commission, in a report published Tuesday, welcomed Kyiv's continued implementation of all the measures required by European institutions for joining the EU, but issued a warning. "It is necessary to maintain momentum and prevent any risk of backsliding," the Commission stated in the document. Brussels specifically criticized the "pressure" exerted by Volodymyr Zelensky's government "against anti-corruption agencies and civil society," which it views as a "negative trend." "This must be decisively reversed," the report urged. However, the Ukrainian president welcomed the European Commission's assessment, stating that it was the "best evaluation" Ukraine had received since being admitted as a candidate country for EU membership.

In this regard, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, emphasized Ukraine's efforts at a press conference, stressing that, in a context of war, "no other country has implemented so many measures." The EU representative also highlighted the steps and reforms taken by countries such as Montenegro, currently the most advanced, Albania, and Moldova to join the EU. According to the European Commission's own estimates, these states could join the European bloc between the end of 2026 and 2028.

The situation is different in countries like Georgia, where the pro-Russian government is increasingly distancing itself from Brussels and moving closer to the interests of Moscow, but also of Serbia and Turkey. "Georgia does not have a viable path to accession to the European Union," concluded the Commissioner for Enlargement. Kos also criticized North Macedonia for not implementing the constitutional changes requested by Brussels, but noted that it has long been in the waiting room for EU membership, like Bosnia and Herzegovina, and praised its efforts to move towards accession. The assessment of Kosovo is similar, although it is still simply considered a potential candidate country for accession to the European Union.