EU to Launch Membership Negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova by Year-End

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said on Thursday that the European Union must begin accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova before the end of 2025, stressing that enlargement is in the strategic interest of both the bloc and candidate countries.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Ukrinform.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, Metsola hailed Moldova’s recent election results, in which a pro-European party secured victory despite Russia’s attempts to sway the outcome.

“People have clearly chosen the European path, and we have seen that interference and intimidation did not succeed,” Metsola said. “We must also remain vigilant and prepared to defend the stability of democratic election results.”

The European Parliament President recalled that Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s party campaigned on the promise of EU membership, describing accession hopes as a central theme. 

She said the European Parliament would continue to press for the formal launch of accession talks with both Kyiv and Chişinău this year.

“This is not charity; it is something that works for all of us,” she added. “It will make us more secure, give us greater strategic control, and show that our citizens are ready to open the doors to new countries when they choose to join.”

Her remarks follow comments earlier this week from EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who told Ukrinform that Ukraine and Moldova have already met their obligations and deserve to move forward to the next stage of negotiations. 

According to Kos, the process is merit-based, with “no real obstacles” blocking the opening of the first negotiation clusters.

“Ukraine has fulfilled its commitments, as has Moldova,” Kos said. “Since the principle of merit applies, there are no barriers to starting the first cluster. Of course, member states must have their say, but I am confident that very soon we will find a solution to continue this work.”

Metsola insisted that EU enlargement would strengthen the bloc politically and economically while reinforcing security across the continent. She underlined that the process must not be delayed further.

As The Gaze reported earlier, European Commission leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas emphasized that providing Ukraine with a “reparations loan” based on frozen Russian assets is a sensitive but legally viable measure, currently under discussion among EU member states.