On 1 July 2026, the ESN Group (Europe of Sovereign Nations) tabled eight amendments to the European Parliament's annual report on Ukraine, fundamentally challenging the pro-accession consensus. The amendments, authored by MEPs Tomasz Froelich, Petar Volgin, Stanisław Tyszka, Marcin Sypniewski, and Roberto Vannacci, propose halting Ukraine's EU accession process, restricting temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals, and increasing oversight of EU funds. These are proposed amendments still to be examined and voted in committee and plenary, not the Parliament's final position.
The most far-reaching amendment (56) introduces a new paragraph warning that Ukraine's accession would undermine the Common Agricultural Policy, cohesion policy, and cause migration, brain drain, and labour market disruptions, citing serious geostrategic risks. Amendment 62 calls for suspending further steps in Ukraine's accession negotiations until measurable, independently verified progress is made on combating corruption, dismantling organised crime, and ensuring transparency in international financial assistance.
On migration, amendments 57 and 58 challenge the continuation of blanket temporary protection. Amendment 57 notes that 4.33 million Ukrainians were under temporary protection in November 2025 and welcomes the Commission's June 2026 announcement that temporary protection should not, as a rule, be granted to newly arriving Ukrainian nationals not authorised to leave Ukraine. Amendment 58 condemns the Ukrainian President's decision related to conscription or exit restrictions and highlights Poland's extensive aid to Ukrainian refugees.
Corruption and oversight are addressed in amendments 60 and 61. Amendment 60 expresses concern that major corruption investigations in Ukraine have not received adequate scrutiny in EU enlargement discussions, cautioning against downplaying such cases to advance a predetermined enlargement narrative. Amendment 61 calls on OLAF to play a more effective role in monitoring EU funds allocated to Ukraine, and stresses the need for enhanced oversight, transparency, and accountability mechanisms, including the European Court of Auditors.
Finally, amendments 59 and 63 target historical and religious issues. Amendment 59 condemns the use of Nazi names and symbols by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and invites Ukraine to review history textbooks to present historical events in a balanced, evidence-based manner promoting reconciliation. Amendment 63 condemns increasing religious persecution against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, citing police raids on monasteries, seizures of property, and criminal proceedings against clergy.
The amendments represent a coherent Eurosceptic and anti-enlargement bloc position. They are set to be debated in the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs before a plenary vote later in the year. The underlying report, drafted by rapporteur Michael Gahler (EPP), takes a broadly pro-Ukraine stance, setting the stage for a contentious debate.