How Ukraine Is Integrating into the EU Prior to Official Membership
As EU leaders reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine’s future membership, Kyiv is already aligning its economy, trade, transport, and social standards with European rules — gradually integrating into the Union even before official accession.
In June 2025, EU leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine's full accession to the Union. At the summit on June 26, the EU Council confirmed its intention to open the first (“fundamental”) cluster of membership negotiations with Ukraine, emphasizing a “meritocratic” approach and readiness to conduct selection in accordance with Ukraine's progress. However, even before becoming a member, Ukraine is undergoing a gradual integration into European markets for goods, services, labor, and education.
Providing Temporary Protection and Access to the Labor Market and Education
For millions of Ukrainians who have found refuge in EU countries after the invasion, a temporary protection mechanism is in place under the EU Directive. In June 2025, the EU Council decided to extend this status until March 4, 2027. This means that Ukrainian citizens retain their basic rights: residence permits, access to the labor market and housing, medical care, and even education (especially for children).
The EU has already emphasized that persons under temporary protection “should be able to work, either as employees or self-employed,” in their host countries. So, in fact, Ukrainians enjoy normal labor and educational rights in the EU. Experts and politicians emphasize that this status cannot remain permanent. The current discussion is about transforming this regime into a permanent one, meaning that Ukrainians should receive permanent (long-term) access to the European labor market and educational programs, similar to refugees. In 2025, the European Commission recommends preparing such mechanisms as language courses, retraining programs, information hubs, etc. for long-term integration or return. In this way, temporary protection is beginning to transition into a system of permanent residence, and Ukraine wants its citizens to have equal social and labour rights with EU citizens.
Development of Trade Relations: Improvement of the Trade Regime and Quotas for Agricultural Products
One of the priority components of integration is the renewal of trade relations. In early July 2025, the EU and Ukraine reached an agreement in principle on the modernization of the free trade area (DCFTA). According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, this agreement should ensure stable trade flows for Ukraine and strengthen economic solidarity during the war.
The updated regime provides for the gradual convergence of standards (animal welfare, pesticides, veterinary medicine, etc.) and a mechanism of preventive measures to avoid dumping. According to Ukraine's trade representative, out of the 40 quotas discussed, 5 were fully liberalized, 4 quotas were liberalized for certain goods, and another 4 were reorganized (rearranged). In particular, the quota for honey increased by 583%, sugar and processed starch by 500%, dry milk by 308%, eggs by 300%, and corn by 153%. Taras Kachka added that 21 of the 34 sensitive categories have quotas that exceed the maximum levels during the period of autonomous preferences, and 3 even exceed the export volumes for 2024.
Market access is regulated taking into account the sensitivity of sectors: the most sensitive products (sugar, poultry meat, eggs, wheat, corn, honey) will have only insignificant additional access, while other products will be subject to gradual liberalization. Assistance to Ukrainian exporters in entering traditional world markets is also being discussed.
The modernized FTA with the EU aims to create a level playing field for trade, taking into account the sensitivity of agricultural sectors. Ukrainian agricultural producers emphasize the gradual convergence of standards with the EU and do not claim direct agricultural subsidies from the Union's budget. It is also noteworthy that Ukraine does not actually expect to receive European agricultural subsidies. Thus, Ukrainian farmers are demonstrating that they seek to compete for the market primarily through exports and modernization, rather than subsidies.
Ukraine is Moving Towards a Single Communications Market: Free Roaming
To ensure communication with the homeland, the EU has implemented special agreements with mobile operators. Joint statements by providers from Ukraine and the EU provide for preferential roaming without additional tariffs for Ukrainian subscribers traveling in Europe. These measures have been extended many times — currently until December 31, 2025 — and provide millions of Ukrainians with communication with their relatives at home. In the future, the European Commission is preparing for Ukraine's full transition to the EU's single “roam-like-at-home” regulation.
At the end of June 2025, at a meeting of the commission, it was announced that after the implementation of the new law in Ukraine, a proposal would be submitted for Ukraine to join the “roam-like-at-home” roaming zone from January 2026. This means that starting in 2026, Ukrainians in the EU will have calls and mobile internet at domestic rates, just like EU citizens. Thus, Ukraine will effectively integrate into the digital single market for communications.
Ukraine and the EU will Unify Transport Corridor Regulations
Ukraine is also making significant strides in the transport sector. In June 2025, the government began an official screening of Ukraine's legislation for compliance with EU standards under Sections 14 (“Transport Policy”) and 21 (“Trans-European Networks” – TEN-T). This includes the analysis and harmonization of sectoral regulations in road, rail, air, and maritime transport, safety, digitalization, and passenger rights.
The Ukrainian side emphasizes that integration into the TEN-T network is not only a technical priority but also a geopolitical necessity that will unlock Ukraine's logistical potential as an EU transit corridor. Kyiv seeks to participate in European transport programs (the Connecting Europe Facility package, working groups of the Transport Community Treaty, European safety agencies, etc.) and hopes to obtain observer status in the relevant specialized bodies. Cross-border Solidarity Lanes have become a “lifeline” for Ukraine's economy. The map illustrates the new rail and road routes (Solidarity Lanes) between Ukraine and the EU, established to replace blocked sea routes.
An important geographical step was the decision of the European Council (June 2024) to officially extend four TEN-T transport corridors to the territory of Ukraine and Moldova. This formally expanded the integrated European transport space to Ukrainian ports and railways, overcoming the monopoly of routes through Russia or Belarus. Together, these measures strengthen Ukraine's infrastructure and bring it closer to EU standards.
What Are the Prospects for Accessing European Funds and Recovery?
Although Ukraine does not formally receive EU structural funds directly until it joins the EU, special support mechanisms are being created in the common interest. In particular, the European Commission has created a separate “Ukraine Facility” to provide grants and loans, and together with the G7 countries, it initially formed a package worth $50 billion (financed mainly from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets).
In total, the EU and its partner countries have mobilized around €160 billion in aid to Ukraine since the start of the war. The inclusion of new long-term financial support in the next seven-year EU budget is also being considered: according to Bloomberg, the European Union plans to create a fund of ~€100 billion for Ukraine for the period 2028–2034. This mechanism will provide further grants and concessional loans to Kyiv, subject to reforms.
All this is, in fact, a prototype of “equalization funds” for Ukraine: the country receives huge funds from the EU for the reconstruction and development of the economy immediately after the war, including for the modernization of infrastructure, energy, ecology, and the social sphere.
Ukraine Must Take Advantage of Positive Prospects and Consider Risks
Ukraine's integration into the EU system is proceeding according to a clear plan and with significant support from most member states. There is a convergence with European standards in all areas, from justice and the economy to infrastructure and communications. The gradual expansion of trade, the transition to uniform rules, and access to EU programs increase Ukraine's attractiveness for investment and promote economic growth.
The only significant risks are possible objections from Hungary and Slovakia. In particular, Hungary has repeatedly blocked joint EU statements on Ukraine, and Slovakia has requested postponements of certain decisions due to its own concerns (particularly in the energy sector). However, these difficulties are seen as temporary obstacles. Overall, the rest of the Union is united in its support for Ukraine.
Thus, even before official membership, Ukraine is increasingly becoming an integral part of the European community: laws are becoming more and more unified with EU standards, Ukrainians are gaining equal rights with Europeans in employment and education, and transport and communications are moving towards standardization. The reconstruction of Ukraine after the war will take place with the active participation of the EU, both through financial programs and through integration into the common market and institutions of the Union.
Igor Popov, head of United Ukraine Think Tank, expert on political and security issues