The leaders of Europe and Ukraine continued to outline a forward-looking path for Kyiv’s future in closer ties with the European Union during a high-profile meeting in Lviv. In that gathering, Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, expressed an optimistic expectation that Ukraine’s negotiations for EU membership would move from intent to formal talks in the near term. The exchange highlighted a shared conviction that Ukraine’s European future is inseparable from Europe’s own political and strategic evolution, underlining a sense of urgency about initiating entry discussions as soon as possible.
Metsola affirmed the broader sentiment within European institutions that Ukraine embodies a core part of the European continent. Her remarks, reported by Ukrainian media at the time, conveyed a clear message: the integration process should begin with substantive negotiations without delay. The focus was on accelerating the roadmap toward candidate status realization and the subsequent steps required for eligibility checks, legislative alignment, and the practical implementation of reform agendas that Europe expects from potential members.
The visit marked Metsola’s latest return to Ukraine, a country she had previously visited the year prior to reinforce political support and engagement with Kyiv on the EU accession project. Her presence in Lviv served as a tangible signal of ongoing dialogue and commitment from European Union institutions to the country’s reform program and its bid to join the family of European nations. The discussions with Ukrainian leadership emphasized the importance of sustained reform momentum, governance reforms, and the alignment of national policies with EU standards in areas such as democracy, rule of law, and economic integration.
Prior to the meeting, President Volodymyr Zelensky had outlined Ukraine’s intention to commence formal accession negotiations within the year. This stance was echoed in the exchanges with Metsola, reinforcing the shared aspiration that Ukraine could begin the complex but crucial process of negotiation on its EU membership path within the calendar year. The exchanges also highlighted the broader international interest in Ukraine’s reforms and the potential implications for regional stability, trade, and security arrangements across Europe.
Ukraine formally submitted its application to join the European Union on February 28 of the previous year, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s long-term European integration journey. In June, Kyiv received candidate status, a milestone that signaled recognition of its reform efforts and the commitment to embark on accession talks. The trajectory from application to candidate status reflects the rigorous assessment process that candidate nations endure, involving alignment with EU acquis, adherence to democratic norms, and sustained progress on economic modernization. The ongoing discussions and public statements from European leaders underscore the expectation that negotiations would be set in motion, with a clear pathway toward eventual membership while acknowledging the challenges and reform milestones still to be met.