**Lithuania‘s President Proposes 2030 for Ukraine’s EU Accession**
The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, suggested on February 24 that January 1, 2030, be the official date for Ukraine to join the European Union.
Speaking at a summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Nauseda called for strong leadership to speed up Ukraine’s integration into the EU. He said: “The security of Europe depends on the security of Ukraine. That is why let us accelerate Ukraine’s accession to the EU.”
Ukraine applied to join the EU in 2022, soon after Russia launched its invasion of the country. Ukraine was given candidate status and started formal negotiations with the EU in June 2024.
**Accelerating Accession**
President Volodymyr Zelensky has set a goal for Ukraine to open five or six negotiation clusters by 2025, with the first phase expected under Poland’s rotating presidency of the EU.
The head of the EU Enlargement Commission, Oliver Varhelyi, had previously suggested that Ukraine could join the EU as early as 2029 if it successfully implements necessary reforms.
**Accession Process**
Ukraine is working on six negotiation clusters, covering various political and economic reforms. The country aims to open at least two or three clusters in early 2025, with more progress expected under Denmark‘s presidency of the EU Council later that year.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com