Ukraine has finished reviewing its national laws against European Union standards in record time, the European Commission said, marking a key step toward starting accession talks.
The process, known as “screening,” compares a candidate country’s laws with EU rules to see where they match and where changes are needed.
Ukraine began the process in July 2024, two years after being granted candidate status.
“In the most difficult circumstances, Ukraine has completed the screening process of its entire legislation at record speed, laying the foundations for its European future,” EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos wrote on X.
Kos began a visit to Ukraine this week, stopping in Uzhhorod and Lviv before heading to Kyiv. She stressed the need for an action plan on minority rights, saying the accession process is the best way to address these issues.
Despite the progress, formal membership talks have yet to begin. Hungary has blocked the decision, leaving Ukraine waiting.
EU leaders are now exploring ways to bypass Budapest’s veto, with European Council President António Costa proposing that talks could be opened by a qualified majority vote rather than unanimous agreement.
The idea is to allow Ukraine and Moldova to show progress in reforms and alignment with EU standards, even if one or two countries hold out. EU leaders will debate the plan at a meeting in Copenhagen on Oct. 1, joined by representatives from neighboring states.
Ukraine applied to join the EU in 2022, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion, and Moldova followed soon after. Both countries officially began accession talks last year, but Hungary has blocked progress, including the opening of negotiation clusters.