Despite difficult circumstances, Ukraine is not only maintaining its course toward membership in the European Union, but is also already conducting negotiations — albeit not in the form we are accustomed to imagining. Since the beginning of 2025, Kyiv and Brussels have been conducting screening — an in-depth review of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU law. This is a technical but extremely important stage of the negotiation process. This was reported by European Truth
At the same time, Ukraine is preparing a National Program for the Adaptation of Legislation to EU Law (NPAA), which is to become a roadmap for all future reforms. It is planned to be completed by 2027. In parallel, the government is preparing for real negotiations with the European Commission, in particular through simulation meetings — so-called mock sessions. In such staged sessions, Ukrainian officials work through scenarios of real negotiations, receive feedback from experts, and refine their position.
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This preparation is coordinated by the Ukraine2EU project, created with financial support from the European Union, Lithuania, Denmark, and Sweden. The initiative is headed by Mante Makauskaite from Lithuania. According to her, the goal of the project is not to impose reforms on Ukraine, but to help make them more effective. And although the EU itself is a party to the negotiations, it also provides support to Kyiv in preparing for these negotiations. This model is not considered a conflict of interest, but rather a partnership in which Brussels acts as a guarantor and mediator.
Particular attention is paid to involving civil society — Ukrainian non-governmental organizations often have expertise that is recognized even by Western governments. Ukraine2EU is already developing a grant program to support these structures in the field of European integration.
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According to European partners, Ukraine has every chance of succeeding on this path, but the final word rests with the government. It is its institutional readiness, not just political declarations, that will be decisive in the question of membership.
The process of joining the EU has long gone beyond political slogans — it is complex technical work that requires teamwork between the government, the public, and international partners. The EU does not simply set requirements, but helps to fulfill them. However, Ukraine must walk this path on its own.
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