By autumn, Ukraine should complete preparations for opening all six clusters for EU accession negotiations: Ihor Zhovkva
Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine stated, that Ukraine should complete all the necessary preparatory work for the opening of all six negotiation clusters on accession to the European Union by the beginning of autumn 2025. He reported this in a comment for “Suspilny” on July 19.
According to Zhovkva, Ukraine has already completed preparations for opening negotiations on three clusters:
– the first — “Fundamentals of the EU accession process”,
– the second – “Internal market”,
– sixth – “External relations”.
Technical screening for two more clusters was also completed:
– the third – “Competitiveness and inclusive development”,
– the fourth — “Green Agenda and Sustainable Connection”.
All these blocs are components of the negotiating structure that the European Union applies to candidate countries. The negotiations are divided into six thematic groups, and the opening of each of them requires a completed screening and approval by all 27 EU member states.
The last, sixth cluster — the fifth in order of numbering — is called “Resources, agriculture and cohesion policy.” Ukraine has not yet formally started working on it with the European Commission. As reported in the Office of the former Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna, the first working sessions are scheduled for September 2025.
Ihor Zhovkva emphasized that, despite the lack of unanimous support from all EU member states, the Ukrainian side must fully complete its internal homework in order to be technically ready for the opening of all clusters within the specified period. After the opening of all clusters, the next stage begins — the gradual closing of individual negotiation chapters, which involves the coordination of positions and the adaptation of legislation.
Zhovkva also noted that one of the EU member states is currently blocking the technical opening of some clusters, as this requires full agreement between all members of the union. The government is consulting with European partners, as well as with the United States, which are informed about the progress of the process.
Separately, he emphasized that Russia is trying to influence the position of individual EU countries in order to complicate Ukraine’s European integration. As an example, he cited the delay in the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions, which was finally agreed to shortly before the statement.
We will remind you that the negotiation process between Ukraine and the EU formally started in June 2024 after the official decision of the European Council. Ukraine is the first country to go through the negotiation procedure in the new format of the cluster approach.
