Ukraine said on Tuesday that an upcoming government reshuffle will not affect its drive to join the European Union, reaffirming that EU membership remains a top national priority despite plans to replace the country’s prime minister.
Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kachka made the remarks in Brussels as Ukraine formally opened another stage of accession negotiations with the European Union, covering external relations.
European Union Membership Remains a Priority
Kachka said the government’s commitment to European integration would remain unchanged regardless of changes in political leadership.
He stressed that accession negotiations and the reform agenda required for membership would continue without interruption, describing European Union integration as an unconditional priority for Kyiv.
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The comments came after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Sunday that he intends to replace Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after just one year in office, marking another political reshuffle as Ukraine continues to navigate the challenges of war and institutional reform.
European Union Supports Enlargement
Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, welcomed the latest progress in Ukraine’s accession process.
Irish Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne said the bloc had made significant progress on enlargement and described the latest negotiations as an important milestone not only for Ukraine but also for other candidate countries including Moldova, Montenegro, and Albania.
He said expanding the European Union would benefit both the bloc and citizens of countries seeking membership.
How the Accession Process Works
European Union membership negotiations are divided into policy chapters grouped into six thematic clusters. These cover key areas including:
- Fundamental rights
- Internal market
- Competitiveness and inclusive growth
- Green agenda and sustainable connectivity
- Resources and agriculture
- External relations
Candidate countries must align their laws, institutions, and policies with European Union standards before membership can be approved unanimously by all member states.
Why This Matters
Ukraine views European Union membership as a strategic objective that would strengthen its political, economic, and security ties with Europe. Maintaining momentum in accession talks despite domestic political changes is intended to reassure European partners that Kyiv remains committed to reforms required for membership.
Future Outlook
Ukraine is expected to continue opening additional negotiation clusters while advancing reforms in governance, the judiciary, anti-corruption measures, and economic policy. Although domestic political changes are unlikely to derail the accession process, the pace of negotiations will continue to depend on reform implementation, support from European Union member states, and the broader security situation created by the war with Russia.
With information from Reuters.
