Key facts
- The European Commission emphasized the necessity of Ukraine's rule-of-law and anti-corruption reforms for EU accession.
- Ukraine's parliament recently blocked five critical reform measures.
- These reforms are linked to unlocking 2.1 billion euros in EU financial support by the end of 2026.
- The blocked reforms aimed to enhance anti-corruption agencies' powers and reform key investigative bodies.
- The reforms are part of a broader plan agreed upon by Ukraine and the European Commission.
The European Commission has emphasized that Ukraine must continue to advance rule-of-law and anti-corruption reforms as a prerequisite for joining the European Union. This statement comes after the Ukrainian parliament's law enforcement committee blocked five key reform measures on August 19, drawing criticism from opposition politicians.
These reforms are critical for Ukraine to unlock approximately 2.1 billion euros ($2.45 billion) in financial support, which is contingent on their implementation by the end of 2026. The blocked measures sought to expand the authority of anti-corruption agencies, reform the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Investigation Bureau, and repeal legislation hindering corruption cases.
European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert stated that Ukraine has committed to these reforms within the framework of the EU's Ukraine Plan, which outlines the timetable for unlocking tranches of a 90 billion euro ($105 billion) loan. The plan includes 10 reform priorities agreed upon by Ukraine and the Commission, often referred to as the Kachka-Kos plan, with a deadline of the end of 2026. To date, none of these 10 reforms have been addressed by the parliament, and the five rejected measures would have partially fulfilled these requirements.
Lammert stressed that it is up to the Ukrainian authorities to implement these reforms consistently and efficiently. Prior to the parliamentary vote, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot had also voiced support for the reforms, describing them as essential for protecting citizens, reinforcing trust, and making Ukraine more resilient, rather than merely appeasing Brussels.