Some European diplomats consider Ukraine’s EU accession before 2030 unlikely and urge the bloc not to give Kyiv false expectations, RBC reported, citing Rapporteur.
One European diplomatic source told Rapporteur that Ukraine may not join the EU even after 2030. The source described NATO membership and military aid as more effective ways to support Kyiv.
European diplomats also expect Ukraine’s and Moldova’s accession negotiations to be separated eventually. Another source told the outlet it would be unfair to hold back Moldova’s progress if talks with Ukraine stall.
On October 6, the European Commission backed a model that could limit future members’ access to EU funding and the single market. Kyiv rejected the proposed terms. Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi said transition periods could be acceptable if they had a clear end date. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said Ukraine would not accept an alternative to full membership.
Ukraine and Moldova’s accession tracks had previously been handled in parallel. EU countries provisionally agreed to open new negotiating clusters with both after Hungary lifted its veto on advancing Ukraine’s bid in early 2026.