US Plan Ties Ukraine's 2027 EU Entry to Ceding Land, AFP Reports

A new US-led initiative to end the war between Ukraine and Russia includes a controversial proposal for Ukraine to join the European Union as early as January 2027, according to a senior official who spoke to AFP on December 12. This ambitious timeline, which typically takes years and requires a unanimous vote from all 27 member states, faces immediate obstacles, notably the consistent opposition voiced by countries like Hungary. The complex US-led plan, which has already sparked significant diplomatic activity across Europe, also suggests that Ukraine would cede land to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes the US holds the necessary leverage to influence EU leaders blocking the country's membership, stating that Washington "can take steps to unblock our path to the European Union" as the US President "has various levers of influence." While the US supports the stated 2027 goal, a senior official noted it remains "a matter for negotiation." Kyiv has struggled to eradicate endemic corruption, a core prerequisite for accession, despite implementing reforms since 2014, and Russia has expressed suspicion regarding amendments to the plan.