In its report on Ukraine's progress published today, the Commission emphasizes that "reforms have continued gradually over the reporting period and have recently accelerated significantly." He praises Ukraine for its determination and continuing reforms despite Russian aggression.
This is an unprecedented situation: the country is at war and the ministers with whom we negotiate online sometimes have to turn off their cameras and disappear because they have to go to a shelter (...). The fact that the country is making progress in such conditions is truly impressive, says an official in Brussels.
The official EC document presents a quite positive picture of the situation, but unofficially EU officials admit that Ukraine still has a lot to do. Progress was limited until the summer, and the acceleration of reforms in recent months does not mean that the main problems have been resolved.
Corruption: praise and serious reservations
In the general part of the report, the Commission praises the Ukrainian anti-corruption system. He writes that "the institutional system for fighting corruption operates effectively, and specialized anti-corruption institutions remain essentially independent and effective."
Meanwhile, a critical report by Ukrainian non-governmental organizations pointed to problems with the independence of these institutions and insufficient progress in reforms. In some areas, the authors even pointed out the lack of progress. The Commission replies that the organization's report covered the state of reforms until August, and then they accelerated.
The Commission itself admits in a detailed part of its report that the situation of anti-corruption institutions remains fragile. He writes that they continue to report pressure from state institutions, law enforcement agencies and security services. Brussels also emphasizes that limited progress in adopting structural anti-corruption reforms remains a "major cause for concern" and requires urgent action by the authorities.
On the one hand, the Commission ensures that anti-corruption institutions operate independently and effectively, but on the other, it itself questions their independence. This is one of the most visible contradictions in the report.
Judiciary: most reforms still unimplemented
The provisions regarding the justice system are equally critical. The Commission acknowledges that progress on judicial reform was limited during the reporting period. Moreover, most of the ten priority reforms agreed with the Ukrainian authorities remain unimplemented.
Brussels is demanding, among other things, faster filling of judicial vacancies, improved procedures for selecting judges to the most important courts and greater participation of independent international experts in the verification of candidates. It also points to the need for reform of the prosecutor's office.
One of the specific conditions for Kiev is to carry out a procedure for selecting the prosecutor general in line with European standards. A senior EU official stressed that progress on this issue was an "absolute requirement".
Ukraine must step up
In October, the European Commission and Ukraine established a joint task force to accelerate reforms regarding the rule of law and the fight against corruption.
The Commission assesses the prospects for Ukraine and Moldova differently. In the case of Moldova, it talks about the possibility of completing the negotiations at the beginning of 2028 and considers its current pace of reforms to be sufficient. Ukraine wants to complete negotiations by the end of 2028, but Brussels calls this deadline "ambitious". "Its goal is ambitious and will become realistic if the country manages to accelerate reforms," an EU official said. The Commission declares support for the Ukrainian goal, but clearly emphasizes that its achievement depends on the pace and effectiveness of reforms.
