The European Union is weighing an unprecedented plan that could give Ukraine a seat at the EU table as early as 2027 – even before the country completes all accession reforms – as part of efforts to anchor Kyiv firmly in Europe and counter Russian influence, according to a report by Politico published on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The idea, discussed by EU officials, diplomats, and Ukrainian representatives, would mark a major departure from the bloc’s traditional enlargement process and comes as Ukraine pushes to have a concrete EU accession date included in any future peace arrangement with Moscow.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly argued that EU membership is a security guarantee for Kyiv, warning that Russia will try to block Ukraine’s European path. “That is why we say: name the date,” Zelensky told reporters. “Because the date will be signed by Ukraine, Europe, the USA and Russia.”
Preparing Ukraine ahead of schedule
The EU has already begun “frontloading” Ukraine’s accession process by providing informal guidance on negotiating clusters – the legal building blocks of membership.
Brussels has shared details on three of the six negotiating clusters and plans to provide more during a March meeting of European affairs ministers, allowing Kyiv to begin work before talks formally open.
EU officials stress there will be no shortcuts on reforms, particularly in areas such as the judiciary, democratic institutions, and governance. Kyiv, for its part, insists it can meet technical requirements by 2027.
Creating a “membership-lite” model
At the heart of the plan is an idea informally dubbed “reverse enlargement,” which would allow Ukraine to enter the EU politically first and gradually gain full rights and obligations later.
Under this model, Ukraine would take part in EU decision-making before completing all reforms, rather than waiting until the end of the process. EU officials argue this would send a powerful political signal to Ukraine and deter any pivot away from the West.
While Zelensky has rejected the idea of second-tier membership in the past, officials say Kyiv may accept a phased approach if it formally locks in Ukraine’s EU trajectory.
The concept could also apply to other candidate countries such as Moldova and Albania.
Overcoming Hungary’s veto
Ukraine’s biggest political obstacle remains Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has consistently opposed Kyiv’s EU membership and maintains close ties with the Kremlin.
Because EU enlargement requires unanimous approval, Orban’s resistance is a major hurdle. EU officials are watching Hungary’s upcoming election closely, hoping a change in leadership could unblock the process.
If Orban remains in power, diplomats say alternative options will be explored.
Leveraging US pressure
European officials believe US President Donald Trump could play a decisive role in persuading Budapest to soften its stance.
With Washington positioning itself as a broker in potential peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, EU accession by 2027 is reportedly included in a draft US-backed proposal. The hope is that Trump could pressure Orban to fall in line.
Zelensky has suggested that US guarantees could help prevent individual EU states from blocking elements of a broader settlement.
Suspending Hungary’s voting rights
As a last resort, EU officials say Brussels could revive Article 7 proceedings against Hungary, which could strip Budapest of its voting rights, including on enlargement decisions.
While politically explosive, the move is seen as legally possible if Hungary continues to obstruct EU decision-making. For now, EU capitals are holding back, wary of strengthening Orban ahead of elections.
Ukraine applied for EU membership shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. It officially received the status of candidate for membership in June 2023 and began EU membership talks in June 2024.
Moscow has long opposed Ukraine’s joining NATO but expressed belated openness for Kyiv to join the EU in 2025, despite Ukraine’s European Union membership objective being a key factor in Russia’s initial invasion of February 2014.
In Novenber 2013 Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine’s pro-Kremlin president at the time, abruptly abandoned plans to begin the long path to EU accession, it sparked protests that became the Maidan Revolution (or Revolution of Dignity) that forced him to flee for Russia where he remains in exile.
EU accession usually takes years and demands unanimity among all 27 member states – a hurdle Ukraine would have trouble clearing in today’s context, with countries including Hungary repeatedly blocking its bid.
Ukraine has yet to complete any of the EU’s more than 30 negotiating chapters, meaning a 2027 accession target would depart from the bloc’s standard merit-based approach.
The European Commission praised Ukraine for maintaining strong momentum on its path toward EU membership despite Russia’s ongoing full-scale war, while warning that Kyiv must accelerate reforms to meet its goal of joining the bloc by 2028.