Ukraine not ready to join EU in 2027 - Sikorski

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that the issue of Ukraine's membership in the European Union requires a sober assessment of the readiness of both Kyiv and the bloc itself. He expressed doubt about the idea of fixing 2027 as a possible date of accession.

Sikorski said this after a meeting of the heads of foreign ministries of the EU countries in Brussels, Polskie Radio reports.

"I always appreciate creative thinking. Ukraine's accession itself will be a big challenge for both Ukraine and the European Union, because it is a large country, but not too rich. At the same time, let's remember that Ukraine has not yet fully implemented the Association Agreement. So creative thinking is one thing, and political decisions are another."

It is an initiative to fix 2027 as a benchmark for membership in a possible peace agreement. One of the supporters of the so-called "reverse membership" approach is the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

This model envisages Ukraine's formal accession to the EU first, followed by a gradual implementation of reforms and connection to the key policies of the Union. At the same time, according to Sikorski, the implementation of such a scenario will be a serious procedural challenge for the European Union.

As a reminder, European political circles are discussing possible parameters of a future peace agreement around Ukraine. Among the options are accelerating the process of Ukraine's accession to the European Union and providing additional security guarantees.