Von der Leyen and Zelenskyy discuss Ukraine’s EU accession path

Von der Leyen and Zelenskyy discuss Ukraine’s EU accession path
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv, Ukraine, 24 February, 2026, Reuters
Reuters

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she discussed Ukraine’s path to European Union membership with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as Brussels signals key weeks ahead for accession talks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Ukraine’s progress towards European Union membership.

In a post on X, she said: “The coming weeks will be important to take decisive steps forward in the accession process.”

The comments come as Brussels prepares for renewed momentum in Ukraine’s long-term bid to join the bloc.

Ukraine’s EU ambitions and reform agenda

Ukraine has been pressing ahead with reforms required for accession, even as it continues to face Russia’s full-scale invasion.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly argued that Kyiv is making progress on key governance and institutional changes needed for membership talks.

Ukrainian officials are now hoping for substantive movement in negotiations in the coming months, particularly amidst shifting political dynamics within the European Union.

Debate over interim membership options

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently floated the idea of an “associate membership” model for Ukraine. The proposal would allow participation in EU meetings and institutions without voting rights as an interim step towards full accession.

However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described such a model as unfair, insisting that Ukraine should not be placed in a second-tier status on its path to membership.

Continued EU support for Ukraine

Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s ongoing support for Ukraine amidst the war with Russia, highlighting defence cooperation as a key priority.

She said air defence systems, drones and counter-drone capabilities are among Europe’s most urgent security needs, adding that Ukraine will be “fully integrated” into these efforts.

Shifting political landscape in Europe

Ukrainian officials have pointed to changing political conditions within the EU as potentially opening space for progress on accession talks.

The leadership change in Hungary, long seen as a major opponent of Ukraine’s EU membership bid, is being closely watched in Kyiv and Brussels as negotiations continue.

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