On 15 June 2026, the EU Council held an accession conference with Ukraine, formally opening Cluster 1 (Fundamentals) in EU accession negotiations. Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, speaking for the rotating presidency, called it a 'milestone day' and stressed that enlargement remains merit-based, requiring continued reforms in rule of law, anti-corruption, and fundamental rights.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos highlighted that Ukraine achieved this progress while defending against Russian aggression, and urged national unity to sustain momentum. She called on the Council to open the remaining five clusters before summer. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka welcomed the decision as a 'Rubicon' and a security guarantee, noting that unanimity among 27 member states was achieved through dialogue, including on national minorities policy. On anti-corruption, Kachka cited over 1,000 cases opened by Ukraine's anti-corruption bureau since January 2025. Asked about potential future blockages (e.g., from Hungary), Kos and Raouna expressed optimism based on consensus-building and front-loading of technical work. On national minorities, Kachka confirmed a revised action plan fine-tuning existing policies, with implementation expected by end-2027 or 2028. The Commission will closely monitor progress. The opening of Cluster 1 marks the formal start of substantive negotiations, with Ukraine expected to align its legislation with EU acquis across 33 chapters. The next steps involve the screening process for other clusters, with the Commission expected to present progress reports regularly. The decision underscores the EU's continued commitment to enlargement despite geopolitical tensions, while maintaining strict conditionality. For Ukraine, this provides a clear European perspective and a reform anchor. For EU member states, especially neighbours like Poland and Hungary, the process requires balancing support for Ukraine's integration with domestic sensitivities on issues such as agricultural competition and minority rights. EU institutions face the challenge of maintaining momentum while ensuring that reforms are irreversible.