Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka presented Ukraine's progress in the field of the rule of law and key priorities for 2026 to EU member states
On 23 January 2026, a meeting of the EU Council Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession (COELA) was held in Brussels, attended by Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka. During the meeting, the Government official presented Ukraine's progress in fulfilling the conditions for EU accession, particularly in the area of the rule of law.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, in 2025, our country demonstrated significant results on the path to European integration. Ukraine completed the screening in record time, developed and implemented Roadmaps for reforms, and is ready to open six negotiation Clusters. In addition, the country received its best ratings in three years from the European Commission as part of the 2025 Enlargement Package.
"We have received an objective and comprehensive assessment of our progress towards EU membership. Ukraine has a clear demand from society for the reforms necessary for accession to the European Union. We are building the process of European integration as a systemic and technical one, based on broad support both within the country and from international partners," Taras Kachka emphasised.
Key priorities for 2026 include completing judicial reform, a large-scale renewal of the judiciary, and further strengthening the anti-corruption infrastructure. Over the past year, anti-corruption authorities have demonstrated significant results, confirming the system's ability to function even amidst war.
Taras Kachka separately emphasised the importance of implementing the National Programme for the Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to EU Law, which covers more than 1,900 specific measures and more than 1,700 acts of European Union acquis.
During the question and answer session, the Deputy Prime Minister focused on Ukraine's recovery, strategic communications and the role of the EU accession process in the future of Europe: "It is essential for us that the governments of European countries, international partners and businesses have a good understanding of what is happening in Ukraine. The EU accession process is one of the key pillars of Ukraine's future economic recovery, and Ukraine's economic recovery is a prerequisite for lasting peace throughout Europe. The quality and consistency of reforms directly affect investor confidence, which is why strategic communication about Ukraine's progress is our common task."
Representatives of the Member States acknowledged the high quality of the reforms and our country's commitment to European integration, as well as reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's further progress towards membership.