EU plans to sidestep Ukraine membership opposition

The European Commission is reportedly drafting a plan to overcome opposition from member states to the accession of new countries, including Ukraine, to the European Union. According to Politico, the scheme would temporarily restrict the veto powers of potential new members such as Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro. Implementing this change would require amendments to the EU’s foundational treaties—a process that could take years.

The EU has set an ambition to expand its membership to 30 countries within the next decade, but admission of any new state requires unanimous approval from all 27 current members. Some countries—namely Hungary, Slovakia and Poland—have voiced concerns about Ukraine’s potential accession, citing costs, security issues and questions about institutional readiness.

Ukraine was granted candidate status in 2022, shortly after the escalation of its conflict with Russia. Since then, President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged the EU to accelerate the accession process. The bloc has set a target of 2030 for Ukraine’s possible membership, but it has also called on Kyiv to strengthen the rule of law and combat corruption. Recent revelations of a $100 million extortion racket involving Zelensky’s inner circle have underscored the urgency of these reforms.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, has said that 2026 will be a crucial year for the country’s EU accession path, aiming to advance the opening of negotiations. Russia, while stating it does not oppose Ukraine’s EU membership, has criticized the bloc’s shift toward becoming a “military‑political bloc” and an “appendage of NATO.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Ukraine’s accession could undermine the EU and potentially lead to its collapse.

The Commission’s proposal to limit the veto powers of new members is seen as an attempt to reassure enlargement‑skeptic governments and avoid a repeat of states blocking key legislation. The plan’s success will hinge on the EU’s ability to balance the concerns of existing members with the aspirations of prospective entrants, including Ukraine. As the Union navigates this complex expansion process, the outcome of Ukraine’s accession bid will be closely watched by governments and observers across the region.