Ukraine advances in EU membership bid with new negotiations on foreign policy and defense

Tuesday 14 July 2026 - 11:07

By: Sahili Aya

Ukraine advances in EU membership bid with new negotiations on foreign policy and defense

Ukraine has taken another step toward joining the European Union after member states approved the opening of a new phase of negotiations covering security, defense and foreign policy. The decision marks the second major area of discussion in the complex accession process, as Kyiv continues its efforts to accelerate integration with the European bloc.

The agreement reached by the 27 EU countries represents progress for Ukraine, which officially became a candidate for membership in 2022. However, the path toward full accession remains lengthy, requiring the completion of multiple negotiation chapters and approval from all member states at each stage.

A long and demanding accession process

Joining the European Union involves a detailed review of a candidate country’s legislation, institutions and policies to ensure alignment with EU standards. The negotiations are divided into six broad clusters covering areas such as governance, economic reforms, internal policies, external relations and security matters.

The latest discussions focus on areas traditionally considered sensitive for national sovereignty, including defense cooperation, international relations and strategic security issues.

For Kyiv, advancing in these negotiations represents both a political objective and a symbol of its closer alignment with European structures.

Brussels maintains close dialogue with Kyiv

The process has been closely followed by European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, who have repeatedly expressed support for Ukraine’s European aspirations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made EU membership a central priority of his government, presenting integration with Europe as part of the country’s long-term political and strategic direction.

While progress has been made, each new stage requires unanimous approval from all EU members, making the process dependent on consensus among the bloc’s 27 governments.

Political obstacles remain despite renewed momentum

Ukraine’s accession negotiations have faced political challenges, including opposition from certain member states. Hungary, under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government, had previously blocked progress on parts of the procedure, slowing the opening of negotiation stages.

The situation evolved following political changes in Budapest, allowing talks to gradually resume and giving Kyiv new momentum in its European ambitions.

Despite recent advances, experts expect Ukraine’s membership process to remain a multi-year undertaking, requiring continued reforms and sustained political support from EU countries.