KOS: KYIV CANNOT JOIN THE UNION NEXT YEAR

BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 2 /SRNA - RIA Novosti/ - Ukraine is not ready to join the EU next year and will not be provided with shortcuts or special privileges in the process, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Marta Kos said.

"Obviously, the date of January 1, 2027, set by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is not achievable, because accession is based on the principle of merit," Kos said.

She said that other member states see Ukraine's accession to the EU as a security guarantee, adding that the conflict in Ukraine has changed the geopolitics of Europe.

"Enlargement has once again become a priority, not only for Ukraine but also for other countries," Kos stressed.

She noted that Ukraine would not receive any special privileges in the accession process, but that the EU must take into account the situation in which the country finds itself.