STRASBOURG, France - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for an acceleration of Ukraine's path to European Union membership, emphasizing the need to open all negotiation clusters by 2025 [1][2][3]. Speaking at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on May 7, 2025, von der Leyen stressed the importance of Ukraine's EU accession as a security guarantee and a step towards lasting peace in Europe [5][6].

"We must accelerate Ukraine's path towards membership of our Union. It isn't just Ukraine's aspiration. Accession to the European Union can be the strongest security guarantee," von der Leyen stated [2]. She added, "We're working hard with Ukraine to open the first cluster of accession talks and to open all clusters in 2025" [3].

The push for accelerated negotiations comes amid ongoing concerns about regional stability and the potential for further Russian aggression. Von der Leyen warned that a "bad deal" in peace negotiations with Russia could encourage further aggression from Moscow [4][7]. "We have all seen how Russia negotiates. They bomb. They bully. They bury promises beneath rubble," she cautioned [7].

However, the path to EU membership for Ukraine is not without obstacles. Several EU member states, including Hungary, Slovakia, France, and Germany, have expressed reservations about Ukraine's rapid accession [1]. These countries have emphasized the need for Ukraine to meet existing reform benchmarks before proceeding with talks.

Despite these challenges, von der Leyen remains committed to the vision of Ukraine joining the EU, stating, "Ukraine joining our Union is the greatest guarantee of a just and lasting peace" [6]. She called on European leaders to support Ukraine's defense industry and sign procurement agreements to strengthen the country's position in potential peace negotiations [4].

As the EU continues to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape, the coming months will be crucial in determining the pace and nature of Ukraine's potential accession to the bloc. The European Commission's ambitious timeline for opening all negotiation clusters by 2025 signals a strong commitment to Ukraine's European integration, but the ultimate decision will require consensus among all EU member states.