Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an enthusiastic response on Tuesday to the European Commission’s latest Enlargement Package report, describing it as the strongest endorsement yet of his nation’s progress toward full membership in the European Union. In a post shared via the Telegram messaging platform, Zelenskyy emphasized that the document unequivocally demonstrates Ukraine’s steady advancement on the path to EU integration, even amid the unrelenting pressures of a full-scale Russian military invasion that has now entered its fourth year.
“This is the best assessment to date—proof that even as we defend against Russia’s full-scale aggression, Ukraine continues to reform and transform according to European standards,” the president declared. He pointed specifically to the report’s affirmation that Ukraine is prepared to initiate formal negotiations on Clusters 1, 2, and 6 of the EU accession framework. These clusters encompass critical areas: Cluster 1 focuses on the fundamentals of the rule of law, judicial reform, and the fight against corruption; Cluster 2 addresses public procurement, statistics, and financial control; while Cluster 6 deals with external relations, including trade policy and international cooperation.
Zelenskyy’s remarks were not merely bureaucratic in tone; they carried a profound sense of national pride and collective achievement. He extended heartfelt appreciation to what he described as the “efforts of millions of Ukrainians” who have labored tirelessly to align the country’s institutions, laws, and practices with those of the European Union. From civil servants drafting new legislation to activists pushing for transparency, the president portrayed European integration as a grassroots movement that transcends government offices in Kyiv.
Yet he reserved his deepest gratitude for the men and women on the front lines. “Our brave warriors who fight for Ukraine and for the very possibility of a safe, united, and free Europe,” Zelenskyy wrote, linking the battlefield sacrifices directly to the broader continental project. In his view, the soldiers defending cities like Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Kharkiv are not only safeguarding Ukrainian sovereignty but also preserving the ideals that underpin the EU itself—democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
Turning his gaze toward Brussels, Zelenskyy issued a pointed call for action. He urged European leaders to demonstrate “decisive action to overcome all artificial obstacles for a strong and united Europe.” The phrase “artificial obstacles” appeared to reference a range of potential hurdles, from lingering skepticism in certain EU capitals about enlargement during wartime to procedural delays that could slow the negotiation process. The president framed unity and strength as indispensable twin pillars: “Unity and strength are two key elements for the European project to succeed.” In an era marked by geopolitical turbulence, including energy crises, migration pressures, and the resurgence of authoritarian challenges, Zelenskyy positioned Ukraine’s EU aspirations as a strategic imperative rather than a mere diplomatic courtesy.
Echoing the president’s optimism, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha released a separate statement welcoming the Enlargement Package. Sybiha highlighted one particularly glowing section of the report: the high evaluation given to Chapter 31, which covers foreign, security, and defense policy. According to the minister, this commendation reflects Kyiv’s “great job in synchronizing sanctions against Russia with the EU and ensuring 99% alignment with the EU’s foreign policy statements.” The near-perfect alignment figure underscores months of meticulous diplomatic coordination, as Ukrainian officials have worked to mirror EU restrictive measures on Russian banks, oligarchs, and energy exports.
Sybiha further announced that Ukraine has successfully completed the bilateral screening process—a rigorous examination of how national legislation measures up against the EU acquis, or body of law. With that milestone achieved, he asserted that the country “stands ready to open negotiation clusters,” describing the move as “the next logical step” in the accession journey. For Sybiha, the stakes extend far beyond administrative checkboxes. “Ukraine’s membership in the EU is a security guarantee for our country and the best long-term investment in the entire European continent’s security,” he argued. In a continent still grappling with the aftermath of Russia’s 2022 invasion, the foreign minister contended that a stronger Europe is inconceivable without Ukraine as a fully integrated member. “A stronger and safer Europe is impossible without Ukraine as its integral part,” he concluded, framing enlargement not as charity but as enlightened self-interest.
To fully appreciate the significance of Tuesday’s developments, it is essential to trace Ukraine’s accelerated trajectory within the EU framework. The country formally applied for membership on February 28, 2022—just four days after Russian forces launched their all-out assault. In an extraordinary display of solidarity, EU leaders granted candidate status a mere four months later, in June 2022, waiving the usual multi-year vetting period. Accession negotiations were officially launched in December 2023, with the first intergovernmental conference convening in Luxembourg the following June. Throughout this compressed timeline, Ukrainian reformers have pushed through anti-corruption measures, judicial overhauls, and media laws, often under the literal shadow of missile strikes and blackouts.
The Enlargement Package itself is an annual ritual in which the European Commission evaluates the progress of candidate countries. This year’s edition arrives at a pivotal moment. With the EU preparing for a potential leadership transition following European Parliament elections and amid debates over how to finance both Ukraine’s defense and its reconstruction, the report serves as a barometer of political will in Brussels. By singling out Ukraine’s readiness for specific negotiation clusters, the Commission has effectively handed Kyiv a roadmap—and a vote of confidence.
Nevertheless, challenges loom on the horizon. Opening clusters requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states, and some capitals remain cautious about rapid enlargement. Hungary, for instance, has repeatedly leveraged its veto power on Ukraine-related issues, citing concerns over minority rights. Agricultural lobbies in Poland and France worry about competition from Ukraine’s vast farmlands once trade barriers fall completely. And the sheer scale of reconstruction—estimated by the World Bank at over $400 billion—raises questions about absorption capacity within the EU budget.
Despite these headwinds, Zelenskyy and Sybiha project unyielding momentum. Their statements on Tuesday were carefully calibrated to blend gratitude with gentle pressure, celebrating the report while reminding European partners that delay carries strategic costs. In Zelenskyy’s words, the fight for EU membership is inseparable from the fight for survival: every reform passed in parliament, every sanction package mirrored in Kyiv, every cluster opened in negotiations strengthens not just Ukraine but the entire European edifice.
As winter approaches and Russian drones continue to target Ukraine’s energy grid, the president’s Telegram message resonated with millions who have endured blackouts, displacement, and loss. For them, the Enlargement Package is more than a technocratic document; it is tangible evidence that their sacrifices are yielding results on the European stage. And for the soldiers holding the line in Donbas, Zelenskyy’s tribute linked their daily struggles to a grander vision—a Europe whole, free, and at peace, with Ukraine indisputably at its heart.
In the coming weeks, diplomats in Brussels will pore over the report’s fine print, scheduling technical meetings and political consultations. But the overarching narrative emerging from Kyiv is one of irreversible progress. From the rubble of war, Ukraine is forging a European future, cluster by cluster, reform by reform, and—most crucially—life by life. The European Commission has spoken; now the ball resides in the court of EU leaders to match words with deeds and welcome a battle-tested partner into the fold.
