{"id":17196,"date":"2026-01-30T11:11:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T11:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=17196"},"modified":"2026-01-30T11:11:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T11:11:18","slug":"ukraine-will-be-technically-ready-to-join-eu-in-2027-zelenskyy-says-europe-live-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=17196","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine will be \u2018technically\u2019 ready to join EU in 2027, Zelenskyy says \u2013 Europe live | Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Morning opening: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy doubles down on 2027 target for EU accession<\/h2>\n
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\"Jakub<\/div>\n

Jakub Krupa<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy<\/a> doubled down on suggestions that Ukraine would be \u201ctechnically\u201d ready to join the European Union in 2027,<\/strong> despite pushback from some European leaders this week suggesting that his insistence on a fast-tracked accession was unrealistic and even unnecessarily antagonising some in the bloc.<\/p>\n

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\"Ukraine\u2019s<\/picture><\/div>
<\/svg><\/span>Ukraine\u2019s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Belgium last year.<\/span> Photograph: Omar Havana\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Luxembourg\u2019s foreign minister, Xavier Bettel,<\/strong> insisted on Thursday that \u201cwe have rules and we need to respect them,\u201d as he stressed that he repeatedly asked Zelenskyy to stop putting pressure on the EU on the timing as it was counterproductive.<\/p>\n

Even EU\u2019s top official in charge of the enlargement, commissioner Marta Kos,<\/strong> hinted that while the political will was there, more might be needed (Europe Live, Thursday<\/a> here<\/a> and here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cTechnically, we will be ready in 2027,\u201d<\/strong> Zelenskyy told reporters, Reuters reported, adding that by the end of 2026 Ukraine<\/a> will have implemented the main steps required for membership.<\/p>\n

I think the European Commission may have a slightly more nuanced view on that<\/strong>, given its last year\u2019s progress report<\/a> pointing to \u201csome level of preparation<\/em>\u201d in many areas, with only limited<\/em> progress on some of the key issues, such as fight against corruption, or insufficient<\/em> capacity in some areas looked at by the EU.<\/p>\n

But Zelenskyy made it clear that primarily he primarily wanted to get \u201ca clear timeline\u201d<\/strong> to know what are the real prospects of joining the bloc, seeing it as an important part of security guarantees after the war as he is expected to continue trilateral talks with Russia<\/a> and the US in the upcoming days.<\/p>\n

But remember: EU enlargement requires unanimous decision by the 27 member states,<\/strong> and Hungary<\/strong> not only has long opposed a fast-tracked accession of Ukraine, but the relations between the two countries have markedly worsened in the last few weeks.<\/p>\n

\u201c95% of Hungarians have rejected Ukraine\u2019s fast-tracked EU membership because they want to protect our farmers, the safety of our families, and peace in Hungary,\u201d the country\u2019s pro-Russian prime minister, Viktor Orb\u00e1n<\/strong>, said yesterday.<\/p>\n

The issue is likely to feature prominently in the upcoming parliamentary election in Hungary, which could see a change of government after Orb\u00e1n\u2019s 16 years in power.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s see if we get more reactions from the EU on this today. I will bring you all the latest.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Friday, 30 January 2026,<\/strong> it\u2019s Jakub Krupa<\/strong> here, and this is Europe Live.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Good morning.<\/strong><\/p>\n