Moldova is moving ahead of Ukraine on the path to EU membership, according to the British newspaper Financial Times, which cites the European Union’s annual enlargement report.
To speed up its European integration process, Ukraine needs to step up reforms and make significant progress in the fight against corruption.
Ukraine and Moldova both applied for EU membership in 2022. Initially, they were moving at a similar pace. However, the European Commission’s latest report shows that a gap has now emerged between the two countries.
Moldova remains on track to complete its accession negotiations with Brussels by early 2028. Ukraine, by contrast, is expected to need an additional year to complete the same process.
The report also highlights Montenegro’s progress towards EU membership. According to current projections, the Balkan country could sign its accession treaty as early as mid-2027.
If that happens, Montenegro will become the first country to join the European Union since Croatia, which became a member in 2013.
