Vsevolod Chentsov: Ukraine preparing for next stage of EU accession negotiations – closing negotiating chapters

On 5 November, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Vsevolod Chentsov addressed the 19th meeting of the EU–Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee in Brussels.

During a discussion of the parliamentary dimension of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, the Deputy Prime Minister presented the results of the country’s preparations for membership, outlined priorities for further reform and set out the next steps in the negotiating process.

Vsevolod Chentsov thanked the European Parliament for its consistent political and practical support for Ukraine, which is particularly important amid Russia’s full-scale aggression.

Particular attention was given to the European Commission’s report under the 2026 EU Enlargement Package, published on 4 November. The Commission raised its assessment of Ukraine’s level of preparedness in nine negotiating chapters – more than twice as many as last year. None of the 33 chapters received a lower preparedness rating.

Ukraine demonstrated good or very good progress in ten chapters. For the first time, it received the highest assessment of “very good progress” under Chapter 31, Foreign, Security and Defence Policy.

The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted the improved preparedness ratings under Chapter 23, Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, and Chapter 24, Justice, Freedom and Security, both of which are crucial to further progress in the negotiations.

He emphasised that these results were achieved during a full-scale war, as pressure on state institutions and the economy continued to grow.

Opening the two remaining negotiating clusters is among Ukraine’s immediate priorities.

Vsevolod Chentsov said Ukraine had fulfilled the necessary conditions for their opening and expected the relevant EU decision by the end of the year.

The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of protecting the interests of Ukrainian producers already integrated into European production chains. The discussion focused in particular on the steel industry and the need for EU trade and climate instruments – including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) – to take account of the conditions under which Ukrainian industry operates during the full-scale war.

The meeting also addressed the practical implementation of legislation protecting the rights of national minorities in Ukraine.

In closing, Vsevolod Chentsov thanked European parliamentarians for their support and called for continued active cooperation to implement reforms and advance Ukraine towards full membership of the European Union.