Influential Ukrainian parliamentarian outlines challenges facing Kyiv’s EU membership bid, including domestic reforms, corruption, martial law complications, and diplomatic tensions with Warsaw.
EU Accession Timeline Remains Uncertain
Ukraine’s pathway to European Union membership remains fraught with complexity and uncertainty, according to Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU. As reported by EU Observer journalist in a comprehensive interview published on 22 July 2026, the 54-year-old Ukrainian politician and former deputy prime minister for European affairs stated unequivocally that Ukraine will definitely become an EU member, though the timeline remains difficult to estimate.
Klympush-Tsintsadze, who served as deputy prime minister for European affairs in Volodymyr Hrojsman’s government from 2016 to 2019 and has been a member of parliament for the Petro Poroshenko Bloc since 2019, emphasised that while the road will be bumpy, EU membership is not in question. However, she cautioned that numerous unknowns exist on both the Ukrainian and European sides, making precise predictions impossible.
Obstacles on European Side
The Ukrainian parliamentarian identified several complications emerging from within the European Union itself. As reported by EU Observer, Klympush-Tsintsadze expressed appreciation for the geopolitical shift in European minds following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which opened debate about enlarging the Union to include Ukraine. However, she noted that internal EU reform discussions necessary to facilitate enlargement have somewhat subsided, which she characterised as a mistake.
According to Klympush-Tsintsadze’s statements cited by EU Observer, neither Ukraine nor other candidate countries want to strive for membership for an indefinite period. The EU itself must implement changes and prepare for accession to make membership possible. She warned that the window of political opportunity for accession can change within the Union, as political forces resistant to enlargement can temporarily come to power in individual European states.
Domestic Challenges Under Martial Law
Martial law has created significant domestic complications for Ukraine’s EU integration efforts. As reported by EU Observer, Klympush-Tsintsadze stated that martial law has tempted some Ukrainian politicians to roll back democratic gains achieved since the Revolution of Dignity in 2014. She specifically cited concerns about decentralisation of power and media freedom, noting that non-interference with media freedom must be preserved and improved.
“We still have a number of domestic arrears to clear up,”
Klympush-Tsintsadze acknowledged, according to EU Observer.
“But I think everything is manageable.”
She expressed satisfaction that the first round of accession negotiations with the EU opened in June 2026 after Hungary’s new government lifted its blockage, providing new motivation as Ukraine enters a real negotiation process.
Corruption Concerns and EU Member State Fears
Addressing European concerns about Ukrainian corruption, Klympush-Tsintsadze acknowledged this remains a significant obstacle to membership. As reported by EU Observer, when asked what she would say to Europeans afraid of Ukraine joining the EU because of high corruption levels, she recognised this as a legitimate concern requiring serious attention and reform efforts from Kyiv.
Poland-Ukraine Diplomatic Tensions
The interview also addressed the ongoing diplomatic row between Ukraine and Poland, a crucial EU member state and traditional ally. Historical grievances have resurfaced, threatening to complicate Kyiv’s EU accession process. As documented in multiple sources including Yahoo News reporting from October 2024, tensions emerged over issues including exhumation of historical remains and disputed historical narratives.
The meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on 13 September 2024 in Kyiv did not proceed as planned, with Sikorski demanding Ukraine allow exhumation of historical sites. These diplomatic complications create additional challenges for Ukraine’s EU integration pathway, as Poland’s support remains crucial for accession negotiations.
EU Membership by 2027 Unrealistic
In separate statements to Ukrinform, Klympush-Tsintsadze provided additional clarity on accession timelines. As reported by Ukrinform correspondent on 3 April 2026, she characterised claims that Ukraine would become a full EU member within two years as “outright lie and manipulation.” She explained that even if a decision on Ukraine’s EU accession were made immediately, it would still require ratification by parliaments of all EU member states, making completion by 2027 physically impossible.
“The pace at which we are currently moving, the scope of tasks ahead of us, and the number of procedures we must go through are all very substantial,”
Klympush-Tsintsadze told Ukrinform. She noted that while Ukraine could be technically ready for EU membership by 2027, the political and procedural requirements extend the timeline considerably.
Negotiations Will Be Difficult
Klympush-Tsintsadze warned that the negotiation process for Ukraine’s EU accession will be difficult. As reported by Ukrinform, she stated that significant attention will focus on the “Foundations” cluster covering rule of law, balance of powers, and functioning of democratic institutions—all essential for any country to become a full EU member.
“It clearly indicates that there will be difficult discussions regarding certain sectors, reforms, and transformations,”
Klympush-Tsintsadze said to Ukrinform, acknowledging the challenging road ahead for Ukrainian negotiators.
Increased Scrutiny of Ukrainian Reforms
From now on, any step Ukraine takes on its EU pathway will be assessed much more carefully, Klympush-Tsintsadze warned. As reported by the Verkhovna Rada press service on 10 September 2025, she stated during a discussion titled “From Independence to the EU: Are Ukrainian Laws Ready for European Standards” that despite declarative slogans of commitment to European integration, alarming signals exist in Ukraine of rollback of democratic gains made during the Revolution of Dignity.
“On 22 July, we, unfortunately, as a country, gave every reason for our partners to doubt how seriously we are committed to achieving results,”
Klympush-Tsintsadze stated, according to the parliamentary press service.
“And now I believe that any assessment, any step that relates to our progress towards the European Union will be much more scrutinised.”
Next EU Report Expected to Be Tougher
The next European Commission report on EU enlargement, expected at the end of October, will be much tougher on criteria and conditions Ukraine must fulfil, Klympush-Tsintsadze predicted. As reported by the Verkhovna Rada press service, she suggested that opening the first negotiation cluster during the Danish presidency of the EU Council by year-end 2025 unfortunately seems unrealistic.
“Unfortunately, this is a whole system of external and internal influences that do not allow our friends who are really promoting and lobbying Ukraine from within the EU to move faster to have enough arguments to insist on opening the first cluster now,”
the Committee Chair said.
Rule of Law Remains Fundamental
Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasised that external obstacles should not excuse failure to fulfil internal commitments. As reported by the Verkhovna Rada press service, she stressed that the main issues lie in the “Fundamentals” cluster covering rule of law, judicial independence, transparency of judge appointments, judicial integrity, and selection processes.
“Without this framework, we will never be members of the EU, even if we meet all the economic indicators, implement all the EU directives and regulations in the economic sphere,”
said the chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU.
Inclusive Dialogue Essential for Institutional Reform
Creating new institutional mechanisms requires inclusive dialogue with civil society, parliament and opposition, Klympush-Tsintsadze insisted. As reported by the Verkhovna Rada press service, she stated that without inclusive dialogue with civil society, business associations, parliamentary opposition, and parliament itself, proposals to create new institutional or coordination mechanisms are doomed to failure.
“This is a big problem,” Klympush-Tsintsadze acknowledged, according to the parliamentary press service.
Ukraine Deserves EU Membership
Despite acknowledging challenges, Klympush-Tsintsadze maintained that Ukraine deserves EU membership. As reported by the Verkhovna Rada press service, she stated:
“We definitely want to be a strong state, not a lame duck in the European Union. We do not want to be taken there out of pity. No, we deserve to be there because we have a lot to bring.”
She concluded:
“But to do this, we need to look at ourselves in the mirror and see our shortcomings, work to eliminate them, and then we will succeed.”
