Ukraine has changed its key negotiator in the EU accession process: who is the new negotiator?
24 February 16:47
President Volodymyr Zelensky has updated the composition of the Ukrainian delegation for negotiations with the European Union on Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka has been appointed as the new chief negotiator.
According to "Komersant Ukrainian", the relevant decree dated February 24 was published on the website of the Office of the President.
What has changed in the composition of the delegation
The document amends the previous decree dated June 21, 2024.
According to the new decision, about two dozen officials representing various ministries and state bodies have been included or approved as members of the delegation.
Who led the negotiations with the EU
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka has been appointed chief negotiator and head of the Ukrainian delegation.
He will be responsible for the negotiation process on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
Who left the delegation
The decree also removed the previous head of the delegation, Olga Stefanishyna, and 15 other people from the delegation.
As is known, Stefanyishyna has held the position of Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States since the end of August 2025.
Ukraine’s accession to the EU
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Kyiv expects a clear date for accession to the European Union and transparency in this process.
At the same time, the EU is considering several options for including the prospect of Ukraine’s membership in the future peace agreement, in particular a phased approach with preliminary security guarantees. Earlier, it was also reported that the US peace plan included the possibility of Ukraine’s accession to the EU in 2027, but this provision is currently being revised due to the position of individual member states.
In addition, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the European Union unlikely.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that, according to the current methodology, membership by 2027 is unrealistic, so Brussels is considering the possibility of applying a “geopolitical approach” to speed up the process.
