Oslo, Feb. 20 (SANA) The European Union is seeking to formally open membership negotiations with Ukraine “as soon as possible,” European Council President António Costa said Thursday, without providing a specific timeline.
Speaking to reporters in Oslo, Costa said the EU aims to maintain momentum in the enlargement process. “I cannot say whether this will happen in 2026, 2027, or later, but the important thing is not to lose momentum,” he added.
Costa stressed that Ukraine must meet the Copenhagen criteria, adopted in 1993, and emphasized that EU accession rules are strict and cannot be bypassed.
Ukraine applied for EU membership in 2022. Analysts note legal and political hurdles, including the need for unanimous approval from all member states, with Hungary openly opposing Kyiv’s accession.
