Ukraine and Moldova Advance to the First Phase of EU Accession Negotiations, with Rule of Law at the Core

June 19, 2026.

   
    In June 2026, Ukraine and Moldova were given the opportunity to move to the first substantive phase of negotiations on accession to the European Union. For Ukraine, this is not only a geopolitical milestone but also a significant development in the fields of human rights and civil society, as the first negotiation cluster focuses on democracy, the rule of law, judicial reform, anti-corruption measures, human rights, and media freedom.
    
    European integration provides Ukraine’s civil society sector with an important mechanism for influence: reforms are no longer merely a matter of political goodwill but become a prerequisite for progress toward EU membership.
    
    At the same time, sources within the European Union indicate that Ukraine has implemented only part of the agreed reform agenda. As a result, continued oversight and pressure from civil society organizations will remain critically important to ensure further progress.