Ukraine: MEPs encourage EU reforms and urge opening of negotiation clusters 

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• Unwavering commitment of MEPs to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity 
• European Commission should open negotiating clusters to advance the country’s EU membership bid at the fastest pace possible 
• EU and its member states must remain Ukraine’s strategic allies 
• Accelerate the delivery of military and financial assistance to Ukraine 

MEPs encourage the Ukrainian government to maintain its pace on implementing EU-related reforms while reaffirming the EU’s commitment to a just and lasting peace.

The report by the Foreign Affairs Committee, which reviews Ukraine’s EU accession preparations against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression, was adopted on Tuesday morning by 55 votes in favour, 12 against with 3 abstentions. MEPs confirm their unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity while calling on the EU and its member states to actively work towards maintaining the broadest international support for Kyiv, and identifying a peaceful solution to the war based on international law and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any peaceful solution must respect the will of the Ukrainian people and not be imposed by any other international actor, they say.

MEPs want Ukraine to intensify rule of law, judicial and anti-corruption reforms

MEPs commend the country’s extraordinary efforts in strengthening its democratic institutions at an extremely difficult time and encourage Kyiv to maintain this reform momentum. They welcome progress in judicial reforms while noting the judiciary in Ukraine remains one of the sectors more vulnerable to corruption and political interference. MEPs highlight the importance of transparent and merit-based selection processes for judicial and anti-corruption bodies, based on the recommendations of independent national and international experts. They also call on Ukraine to intensify rule of law and public administration reforms as well as anti-corruption measures, “as progress in these areas is critical not only for EU membership but also for successful reconstruction and economic trust”.

The full assessment report with all its recommendations will be available shortly here.

The Foreign Affairs Committee recommends the European Commission open negotiating clusters to advance the country’s EU membership bid at the fastest pace possible, subject to its continued implementation of the EU’s rulebook and the completion of reforms it has already launched.

The EU must remain Ukraine’s strategic ally

The report also expresses deep concern over the shift in the United States’ stance on Russia’s war of aggression under President Donald Trump. In light of these developments, MEPs stress that the EU and its member states must remain Ukraine’s strategic allies and should reinforce their leadership role in supporting Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty, peace and justice. This includes increasing the effectiveness and accelerating the delivery of military, material and financial assistance to Ukraine, pursuing comprehensive accountability and justice measures, and keeping EU sanctions firmly in place as the best instrument to undermine Russia’s war machine. MEPs also want more measures to tackle sanctions evasion and an accelerated phasing out of Russian hydrocarbon products in the EU.

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“We admire and firmly support Ukraine and we wish to stabilise and accelerate its European journey. Renewed efforts for judicial and anti-corruption reforms, for strengthening local and regional authorities, the Ukrainian parliament and its members as well as civil society are required from the Ukrainian actors and will be important steps on that way”, said rapporteur Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany) after the vote.

Background

This report is the first enlargement report on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine, and the start of accession negotiations. Enlargement reports are Parliament’s response to the Commission’s annual reports on the candidate and potential candidate countries in the EU accession process. The resolutions adopted in plenary represent the European Parliament’s official position as regards EU relations with these countries.