The German government has said Ukraine has met the reform requirements needed to launch discussions on joining the European Union.
“According to the German government, Ukraine meets all the requirements to open EU accession negotiations in June,” German Foreign Minister Anna Lührmann told dpa.
“We therefore urge all member states to quickly reach an agreement on the negotiating framework,” said Lührmann, a member of the Greens.
EU leaders agreed in December to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to continue to strongly support the country and its people for as long as necessary.
However, the latest commission report shows that Ukraine is failing to implement a number of reforms, especially in fighting corruption and protecting minorities. This has led to the agreement that all reform requirements must be met before negotiations can begin.
EU ambassadors plan to meet next week to discuss a possible negotiating framework. Hungary is seen as a potential obstacle.
Ukraine, along with neighboring Moldova, had applied to join the bloc in early 2022, in the wake of Russia’s large-scale invasion.
