EU accession
Ukraine's EU accession explained
Explainers on how the accession process works, what the negotiating clusters contain, how gradual integration delivers benefits before membership, and who decides what in Brussels. Updated as the process moves.
Key dates
- 27 June 2014 Association Agreement signed
- 1 September 2017 Association Agreement fully in force
- 28 February 2022 Ukraine applies for EU membership
- 23 June 2022 Candidate status granted
- 14 December 2023 European Council decides to open accession negotiations
- 25 June 2024 First intergovernmental conference: negotiations formally opened
- 15 June 2026 Fundamentals cluster opened
- July 2026 External Relations cluster opened
Explainers are being prepared.