Ukraine can possibly join EU in 2029 – European Parliament

Ukraine can acquire full membership in the European Union in 2029.

The member of the European Parliament (MEP) and former Prime Minister of Lithuania Andrius Kubilius expressed this opinion during his interview with the "European Pravda" media.

""Of course, both parties have to work. Ukraine has to carry out reforms. The European Union has to muster the political will and return the ambitions of building a new European architecture, which will envisage membership of Ukraine, Moldova, and maybe Georgia," Kubilus said.

The ex-Prime Minister of Lithuania mentioned that the resolutions of the European Parliament indicated that negotiations with Ukraine regarding its accession to the EU should begin in 2023.

"We want the negotiations to go as with Central Europe. Lithuania had it done for three years, Poland for four years. It is a large country, commensurate with Ukraine," said the MEP.

Based on this experience, according to Kubilius, the European Parliament estimates that the negotiations with Ukraine may come to an end by 2027 when Lithuania will preside over the European Union.

Another year or two is needed for the ratification of the treaty in all 27 EU member states.

"If we work at a good pace, we can hope that in 2029 Ukraine will be able to participate in the elections of the European Parliament as a full EU member," Kubilius added.

It should be noted that Kubilius proposed to create a new format for integration into the EU of Ukraine and other countries, similar to the Ramstein format.

For reference:

On February 28, 2022, shortly after russia's invasion, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, signed an application for Ukraine's membership in the European Union.

On June 17, 2022, the European Commission recommended that the European Council grant Ukraine candidate status for accession to the EU. On June 23, 2022, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the immediate granting of candidate status for EU membership to Ukraine. On the same day, the European Council granted Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the EU.