European Commission Set To Signal Progress In EU Accession Bid

Wires reporting that the European Union is set to progress with Ukraine's accession bid, once a series of conditions have been made. Reuters reports that according to a senior official in Kyiv, the gov't there expects a 'positive' appraisal from the European Commission on its bid for membership. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is in Brussels today to hold talks with Commission VP Maroš Šefčovič,.

• Rikard Jozwiak at RFE/RL posted on the evening of 6 Nov on X: "heads of cabinet of the 27 European Commissioners met today to discuss EU enlargement. talks continue tomorrow on final touches but basic premise clear: Ukraine & Moldova to open EU accession talks (likely in March '24)."
• Despite the talk of advancement (Ukrainian outlet Radio Svoboda claiming the progress report has Kyiv completing four of the seven required steps, up from two in the summer of 2023) Ukraine faces a number of significant hurdles in joining the EU. Deep-rooted corruption and graft issues remain a concern for Brussels, while the prospect of a country actively at war joining the bloc is also a major issue. There is also the requirement for unanimity among EU member states. Countries such as Hungary and Slovakia may veto Ukraine's accession given their less-than-fulsome support for the EU's stance on Russia sanctions.
• Nevertheless, the prospect of EU accession remains an important policy anchor in Ukraine, encouraging market-friendly reforms related to the judiciary, media, and business environment.