The European Commission has praised Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro for their progress toward EU membership but issued a strong warning to Kyiv over anti-corruption reforms.
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos emphasized that Ukraine must maintain momentum on reforms despite wartime challenges and avoid any backsliding that could threaten its fast-track EU accession. She referred to a controversial summer law that would have undermined the independence of anti-corruption agencies, a move that triggered international outcry.
“Amid the challenges caused by Russia’s war of aggression, Ukraine has demonstrated its commitment to its EU path. It will be essential to sustain this momentum and prevent any risk of backsliding, particularly on anti-corruption,” Kos told European lawmakers.
Following the backlash, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reversed his decision and restored the independence of key anti-corruption bodies, but EU officials noted the incident had already affected Ukraine’s image as a top candidate for membership.
Kos also highlighted Moldova’s reforms, noting its rapid progress despite ongoing hybrid threats, and praised Montenegro and Albania for advancing their EU accession agendas. She said all four countries aim to complete negotiations by 2026-2028.
The report comes amid concerns that Russia is seeking to pull EU candidate countries into its sphere of influence, citing interference in Moldova’s elections and outreach to Serbian leader Aleksandar Vučić.
Kos also issued a stark assessment of Serbia and Georgia:
- Serbia: EU membership remains a stated goal, but reform implementation has slowed.
- Georgia: Democratic backsliding is severe, with the EU labeling it a candidate “in name only.”
This year’s EU accession report card underscores the critical importance of anti-corruption, democratic governance, and resilience against foreign interference for candidate countries in the region.
