Let the talks begin.
Once it’s been established that Ukraine will not become a part of NATO, the European Union membership became the most valued political prize sought by Volodymyr Zelensky – especially now, that the EU is increasingly becoming militarized.
There is, therefore, no doubt that this is a major political victory for Zelensky – but the membership itself is not easy and certainly not fast to attain.
Montenegro has been negotiating for 14 years; Serbia for 12 years; Albania and North Macedonia for 4 years. Let’s not even talk about Turkey, which has been negotiating for 21 years!
EU’s von der Leyen:
There is a special momentum right now. I have the impression the tide is turning.
We see that Ukraine is holding the line, even partially regaining territory.
We send a very strong message also to Russia that we provide Ukraine with 90 billion euros loan… pic.twitter.com/Noj7old41G
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 18, 2026
The European Union membership process will require the Kiev regime to commit to years of political reforms even as it fights against Russia.
Associated Press reported:
“Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka took part in an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg to open talks that will help Kyiv align with the 27-member bloc’s laws, standards and values.
[…] Ukraine sees EU membership as a security guarantee for a stable future once the war ends. Its best guarantee would be membership in the NATO military alliance, but the Trump administration insists that cannot happen, and others are wary of it joining while the war continues.”
Zelenskyy Thanks EU Leaders as Ukraine Opens First Accession Cluster and Pushes for Five More!
Ukrainian President @ZelenskyyUa speaks ahead of the European Council in Brussels after Ukraine opened its first EU accession negotiation cluster.
Zelenskyy calls it a great and… pic.twitter.com/bNg09dUYUF— euDebates.tv (@eudebates) June 18, 2026
“Countries hoping to join the EU must complete negotiations in 35 policy areas, or chapters, from agriculture to taxation and energy to trade, a process which can take years.
Monday’s meeting saw the opening of five key chapters — grouped as ‘clusters’ — that underpin the values and principles on which the bloc was founded, notably the rule of law, fundamental rights and the functioning of democratic institutions.”
Ahead of the European Council meeting, we discussed with António Costa @eucopresident and Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen further steps on Ukraine’s path toward accession to the European Union and coordinated our positions. It is important to open the remaining five negotiating… pic.twitter.com/LLm7WWoAig
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 18, 2026
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The post THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD: Ukraine Officially Starts EU Membership Negotiations, a Years-Long Process of Painful Political Reforms appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.