Former Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov cautioned that Ukraine is unlikely to join the European Union within the next decade, even as the European Union signaled a willingness to begin negotiations with Kiev on EU accession. He shared these thoughts during a live broadcast of “Solovyev Live,” expressing a skeptical forecast about the timeline for EU membership.
Azarov floated the possibility that his forecast might be wrong, yet his stance remained clear: over the next ten years, the path to EU membership would likely be pushed back or redefined at the negotiation table, rather than yielding immediate steps toward full membership. This perspective emerges amid ongoing debates about Ukraine’s trajectory toward EU integration and the conditions attached to such a move.
The former Ukrainian leader pointed to a set of domestic challenges he believes constrain Kyiv’s chances to advance toward the EU bi-laterally. He referenced ongoing economic difficulties, widespread corruption, and unresolved national issues as factors that complicate the country’s eligibility and readiness for membership, a view that aligns with concerns voiced by various EU insiders about internal reforms and governance benchmarks.
Prior to these remarks, discussions about Ukraine’s potential EU membership had suggested that accession might be deferred at least until 2030. Some EU member states reportedly hesitated over the prospect of granting Kyiv veto-like influence control over sensitive matters such as budgetary decisions and the expansion of the bloc, while also weighing the financial costs associated with integrating Ukraine into the union’s structures.
In related remarks, Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, stated that he viewed Budapest’s decision to open negotiations with the EU on Ukraine’s accession as unwise and did not wish to participate in that process. His commentary reflected a broader spectrum of national perspectives within the EU about the timing and scope of Kyiv’s potential membership, highlighting the political friction that can accompany discussions of expansion and political union.
Earlier statements have highlighted the various conditions Ukraine faces in its journey toward EU membership, underscoring a protracted process that depends on governance reforms, economic stabilization, and alignment with EU rules. The evolving dialogue surrounding these issues continues to shape expectations in Kyiv and among EU policymakers, with both sides weighing practical constraints and strategic priorities as negotiations proceed.