Alexei Pushkov, who chairs the Federation Council Commission on Information Policy and Interaction with the Media, underscored the formal opening of negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova to join the European Union as a milestone with broad implications for the bloc. Shared via his Telegram channel, his interpretation framed the move as more than a bureaucratic formality, highlighting how such a development could shape European politics and international relations in the near term.
Pushkov argued that for the EU’s expansion-minded and reform-driven faction, there is value in projecting momentum around Ukraine. He suggested that the official start of the accession process signals to readers and partners that the Union has a coherent strategy toward Kyiv, even if the detailed steps remain to be defined. In his view, this framing helps the EU sustain its image as a decisive geopolitical player capable of taking timely action on the European stage.
In related remarks, Andrzej Duda, the former president of Poland, noted that his priority during Poland’s presidency of the EU Council would be to push forward the enlargement agenda in 2025. This stance reflects a broader political drive in Central Europe to expand membership and strengthen the union’s collective response to ongoing regional developments.
Earlier, the European Commission announced support for beginning formal negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The commission outlined several prerequisites for progress, including Kyiv and Chisinau meeting specific reform milestones. Ukraine is encouraged to persist in its anti-corruption efforts and to continue reinforcing the protection of minority rights. Moldova, meanwhile, is urged to advance judicial reforms and pursue a process described in the commission’s wording as de-oligarchization, aimed at limiting concentrations of economic and political influence that could hinder fair governance. [Citation: European Commission]
Parliamentary members had previously approved a draft decision proposing that Ukraine’s path toward NATO integration should commence after the current conflict concludes. The resolution places military readiness and strategic alignment within a broader framework of political security considerations, signaling ongoing debates about the pace and sequencing of such integrations amid persistent regional tensions. [Citation: Parliamentary records]