Politico: EU Prepares Ukraine's Accession As Early As 2027

• 10.02.2026, 8:40

The plan consists of five steps.

The EU is hatching an unprecedented plan that could grant Ukraine partial membership in the bloc as early as next year. Brussels is trying to strengthen the country's position in Europe and finally detach it from Moscow.

Kiev is pushing for EU membership in 2027 to be included in a peace deal with the Kremlin following four years of all-out war. The idea, which is in the early stages of discussion, represents a dramatic change in the way new countries are admitted, writes Politico. The plan assumes that Ukraine will get a seat at the EU table even before it has implemented all the reforms needed to gain full membership rights.

European officials and the Ukrainian government say Kiev's bid requires urgency. Russia is likely to try to "stop Ukraine's movement to the EU," Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky told reporters in Kiev on Friday when asked about the importance of formally approving the 2027 accession date.

"That's why we say: name a date. Why a specific date? Because Ukraine, Europe, the United States and Russia will sign up to this date," he emphasized.

The EU idea reportedly echoes Emmanuel Macron's concept of a "Europe of different speeds," which he has repeatedly voiced since 2017. According to an EU official and two diplomats, the latest version of the plan is informally dubbed "reverse enlargement" because it effectively brings countries into the bloc at the beginning of the process of meeting membership criteria, rather than at the end.

EU officials see the idea as attractive because it would give Kiev pause to complete reforms of its democratic institutions, judicial and political systems, while reducing the likelihood that the country would lose hope of accession and turn its back on the West. However, serious obstacles lie ahead, not the least of which is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Based on conversations with five diplomats from different countries, as well as three EU officials and two Ukrainian officials, Politico highlighted the five steps of the plan.

Step 1: Prepare Ukraine (playing ahead)

The EU will force Ukraine's bid. This includes giving Kiev informal guidance on negotiating "clusters" - the legal steps on the path to membership. The bloc has already provided Ukraine with details on three of the six negotiating clusters. At an informal meeting of European affairs ministers in Cyprus in March, the EU wants to give the Ukrainian delegation details on the remaining clusters so that work can begin on them as well.

"Despite the most difficult circumstances and continued Russian aggression, Ukraine is accelerating its reform efforts," said Marilena Rauna, deputy minister for European affairs of the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU.

The EU official emphasized, however, that there would be no "shortcuts" on the reform issue. This opinion is also shared by diplomats of countries that actively support Ukraine. But for its part, Kiev says it is ready to get the job done. "We will be technically ready by 2027," Zelensky emphasized.

Step 2: Create a "membership-lite"

At a recent meeting in Brussels, EU governments asked European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen about ways to break the deadlock over admitting new countries. Diplomats said she outlined various options, among them the idea of "reverse enlargement". "It would be a kind of recalibration of the process - you join and then you get rights and obligations in stages," the EU official said.

The idea is not to lower the bar of requirements, but to send a strong political signal to countries whose accession is delayed because of war or opposition from capitals such as Budapest (this applies not only to Ukraine, but also Moldova and Albania).

Although Zelensky has previously said that Ukraine would not agree to second-class status in the EU, Kiev may be open to an option that would legally cement the country's path to the EU before it becomes a full member, a source familiar with the Ukrainian authorities' position told the publication. However, Germany opposes the creation of multiple tiers of membership, fearing that Brussels will promise something it cannot deliver. The hope is that if Paris, Rome and Warsaw support the idea, Berlin can be persuaded.

Step 3: Wait for Orban to leave

The main problem is the need for unanimous support from all 27 countries. Viktor Orban, Putin's closest EU ally, is adamantly opposed. The Commission and EU capitals are eyeing Hungarian elections in April while looking for ways to circumvent Orban's veto. Orban faces stiff competition and is trailing in the polls.

In his campaign, he is using the topic of Ukraine's membership as a weapon, saying, for example, that "Ukraine is an enemy" [Hungary] and that it should "never" join the EU. None of the officials interviewed believe Orban will change his mind before the election. "It's personal between Orban and Zielenski. It's more than strategy or tactics," said one diplomat.

The EU hopes that if Orban loses, his rival Peter Magyar may change course, as he has promised to put the issue to a referendum. But if Orban is re-elected, a fourth step comes into play.

Step 4: Play the Trump card

Although Orban's opposition seems unwavering, European leaders believe there is one man who can change his mind: U.S. President Donald Trump. The American leader, who has close ties to Orban, has made no secret of his desire to personally push Ukraine and Russia toward a peace deal. Since Ukraine's accession to the EU by 2027 is spelled out in the draft 20-point peace proposal, the hope is that Trump will indeed call Budapest to close the deal.

Zelensky hinted at this in a recent statement, "We are talking about whether the United States will politically work with some European actors so that they don't block [the deal]."

Step 5: if nothing works - disenfranchise Hungary

If Trump's "art of the deal" doesn't work, the EU will be left with one last trump card: putting Article 7 of the EU treaty back on the table against Hungary. Article 7 is the most serious political sanction the EU can impose. It suspends a member's rights, including the right to vote on the admission of new countries.

The EU has no intention of making the move yet, believing it would play into Orban's hands ahead of April elections. But capitals are already assessing support for using the tool if Orban is re-elected and continues to block EU decisions. Such a move is "absolutely possible," one diplomat said.