Marianna Fakhurdinova, Coordinator of the EU–Ukraine Partnership Programme at the Transatlantic Dialogue Center, appeared on Slawa TV’s “European Integration” programme hosted by Yurii Fizer to discuss the shifting dynamics of Ukraine’s EU path. She explained why progress increasingly depends on the domestic politics of individual EU member states, even as the EU seeks ways to prevent the process from stalling.
Fakhurdinova noted that frustration in Brussels over Hungary’s obstruction is growing, yet the EU has not been ready to take practical steps to address the veto problem.
She also stressed that political statements in EU capitals are often made “for domestic audiences.” Therefore, the most reliable indicator of (non)support for Ukraine’s accession is the outcome of votes and decisions at the EU level — not rhetoric.
A core message of the discussion was that EU accession is, first and foremost, technical work: sustained alignment with EU legislation and standards, and the institutional capacity to implement reforms systematically, even during wartime. In this context, Fakhurdinova highlighted the value of frontloading, which allows Ukraine to continue harmonising legislation even without formal cluster openings. At the same time, she emphasised that opening negotiation clusters remains critical to maintaining trust in the EU process and preserving reform momentum.
Looking ahead, Fakhurdinova warned that a key risk for 2026 is stalling. If negotiation clusters remain unopened and political blockages persist, frustration could increase in Ukraine and create additional space for sceptical or radical narratives within the EU. She also underlined that expectations about timelines should remain realistic, given the scale of technical work required and the political complexities inside the Union.
Watch the full interview here.
