The European Union is preparing a number of options that may provide for including Ukraine’s membership in a future peace agreement. These are decisions being discussed as part of internal consultations within the EU in 2026.
Source: OBOZREVATEL
Bloomberg reports this, citing sources familiar with the course of the discussions. The interlocutors note that the talks are taking place confidentially due to the sensitivity of the issue. One of the options envisages granting Ukraine part of the security guarantees that usually accompany EU accession even before the formal procedure is completed.
Discussions in Brussels
According to the sources, the EU may also grant Kyiv immediate access to certain rights associated with membership. In parallel, Ukraine is expected to be offered a clear timetable of steps necessary to advance through the official accession procedure.
Other scenarios envisage either continuing the current accession path or introducing a transitional period with gradual entry into the European Union. The sources emphasize that a final decision has not yet been made.
Details of the peace plan
The draft 20-point peace plan, which Ukraine is working on mainly together with the United States during the presidency of Donald Trump, предусматриває accession to the EU in 2027. Until then, Kyiv may receive part of the benefits of membership.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that Ukraine seeks to join the European Union by that year, viewing membership as a key security guarantee.
A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed to Bloomberg that Ukraine’s future accession to the EU is part of the discussions regarding a peace agreement. He also noted that the European Union already applies mechanisms of enhanced cooperation with candidate countries.
As a reminder, Ukraine received EU candidate status in 2022. At the end of 2023, EU countries agreed to start negotiations, and the formal process began in 2024. At the same time, the opening of certain negotiating chapters is currently being blocked by Hungary, and the accession process itself traditionally takes years and requires unanimous support from all member states.