Ukraine’s accession to the European Union by 2030 will be “almost unrealistic” if full-scale membership negotiations do not begin by 2027, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Wednesday.
“Speaking of enlargement, I very much hope we will have made significant progress with Ukraine by the first half of 2027, negotiations will be fully opened, and we will see where we stand,” Budrys told reporters. “If we fail to finish the negotiations by 2027 or early 2028, it is almost unrealistic to have Ukraine as a member in 2030.”
Budrys said Lithuania is working to accelerate the process, including efforts to persuade Hungary to lift its veto and explore alternative ways to start negotiations.
Ukraine has sought EU membership since Russia launched a large-scale invasion in February 2022. However, progress has been stalled by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who argues that admitting a country at war poses security risks and could draw Hungary into conflict with Russia.
Lithuania aims for Ukraine to join the EU on January 1, 2030. The country will hold the rotating EU presidency for the second time in the first half of 2027, when Budrys hopes negotiations will begin.
Security will be a top priority of Lithuania’s upcoming EU presidency, Budrys said. “For now and in the near, medium, and long term, security will be our top priority. This means ensuring external security and strengthening the front line,” he explained.
“Secondly, ensuring internal security, preventing migration, and measures related to the resilience of democracies. It also means increasing economic competitiveness and reducing internal market barriers. Finally, there will be aspects related to social security, ensuring the well-being and social environment of all EU citizens.”
Lithuania previously held the EU presidency in 2013.
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