Ukraine agrees with EU on its reform plan for accession

Taras Kachka, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, and European Commissioner Marta Kos have stated that the two sides have agreed on Ukraine's reform plan, confirming its readiness to join the EU.

The document was released after a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council whose key outcome was the launch of frontloading – a technical process that will allow preparatory work on closing negotiating chapters even before Hungary lifts its veto on opening them.

The plan outlined in a written joint statement by Kos and Kachka notes that Ukraine and the EU "recall that EU enlargement is a geostrategic investment in a strong, stable and united Europe grounded in shared values, and that Ukraine can become an asset to an enlarged and more resilient European Union". Ukraine also confirms its understanding that issues related to the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts are crucial for its accession.

"Looking ahead, and in line with this framework and the priorities identified by the member states, Ukraine is taking steps to further prioritise the implementation of the most relevant and effective measures within the coming year," the document states, listing 10 key priorities.

1. Adopt comprehensive amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and other legislation to ensure fast and high-quality justice (a separate list of changes is provided here, namely: removing the automatic closure of criminal cases; extending the statute of limitations and strengthening the grounds for their interruption and suspension for corruption and corruption-related offences; strengthening the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) and protecting their jurisdiction from circumvention and undue influence; expanding the jurisdiction of NABU and SAPO to cover all high-risk positions.
2. Ensure that NABU has effective access to impartial, timely and high-quality forensic examinations.
3. Conduct a comprehensive review of the selection and dismissal procedure of the prosecutor general.
4. Adopt a law … to ensure a transparent and merit-based selection process, appointments and transfers for prosecutors to managerial positions and other prosecutorial positions in the Prosecutor General's Office, regional and district prosecutor's offices.
5. Reform the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
6. Appoint without delays internationally vetted judges to the Constitutional Court and members of the High Council of Justice.
7. Extend … the involvement of international experts in the selection commission for the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ).
8. Adopt the draft law on declarations of integrity of judges…for the Supreme Court, this includes the temporary involvement of internationally nominated independent experts.
9. Adopt the Anti-Corruption Strategy and the State Anti-Corruption Programme by Q2 2026.
10. Develop and strengthen internal control systems against high-level corruption.

Marta Kos, responding to European Pravda's question, explained that all these points must be fulfilled for Ukraine's accession process to succeed. "It is not a new plan … It is a joint statement of the European Commission and the government of Ukraine on 10 points with which we put as the priorities because there is so much to do in the whole process," she said.

Earlier, at an informal meeting of the General Affairs Council in Lviv, the EU announced the launch of a new format of technical talks with Ukraine, which is not subject to the Hungarian veto.

Kachka also confirmed at the meeting that Ukraine is beginning its EU accession process under a new scheme.

Read more: Frontloading: EU's alternative path to break Hungary's veto on Ukraine's accession talks