European Commission’s Assessment of Ukraine’s Reform Efforts
The European Commission has released its 2026 Enlargement Package report, which reviews Ukraine’s progress in implementing key reforms. The document evaluates Ukraine’s anti-corruption measures and outlines recommendations aimed at finalizing the country’s EU membership negotiations by the end of 2028.
A significant point highlighted in the report is that Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has yet to approve the Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2026–2030. Meanwhile, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) continues to play a pivotal role in shaping anti-corruption policies and developing preventive mechanisms. In March 2026, NACP requested international partners and the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers to initiate an independent external review assessing the Agency’s performance from 2022 to 2025. Additionally, NACP is working to strengthen financial oversight in line with recommendations from the International Monetary Fund.
Key Recommendations from the European Commission
The European Commission advises the NACP to enhance its risk-based approach for prioritizing declaration checks. It also recognizes the Agency’s efforts in drafting the new Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2026–2030. The report stresses the importance of meeting interim benchmarks related to the rule of law, the operation of democratic institutions, public administration reform, and the national minorities action plan.
'The institutional framework combating corruption remains robust, with specialized anti-corruption bodies generally functioning independently and effectively. Focus must now shift to achieving intermediate targets within the rule of law framework, implementing roadmaps for judicial reform, strengthening democratic institutions, advancing public administration reform, and delivering on the national minorities action plan. Accelerating reforms is essential for Ukraine to reach its ambitious goal of concluding EU accession negotiations by the end of 2028,' the European Commission emphasized.
Among the specific recommendations for the NACP are:
- Implementing the recommendations from the 2023 independent effectiveness evaluation of the Agency,
- Conducting timely follow-up evaluations based on a reliable methodology.
The main reform priorities remain anti-corruption efforts, strengthening the rule of law, enhancing democratic governance, public administration reform, and advancing the national minorities action plan. The NACP’s key tasks include finalizing the 2026–2030 Anti-Corruption Strategy, improving oversight of lobbying legislation compliance, and establishing specialized units to address corruption risks by sector.
The European Commission’s report underscores the critical need for continued progress in anti-corruption and institutional reforms in Ukraine. Adhering to the Commission’s guidance will be crucial for boosting transparency and accountability, factors that will significantly influence the success of Ukraine’s EU accession talks. As Ukraine aims to complete these negotiations by 2028, implementing reforms and strengthening democratic institutions remain top priorities for both the government and society.
As Ukraine strives to meet the European Commission's expectations for reform, it is essential to recognize the ongoing challenges it faces. For instance, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention recently uncovered over 118.5 million UAH in corruption violations in just the first nine months of 2026. This highlights the critical need for effective anti-corruption measures as outlined in the new strategy. To learn more about the recent findings and their implications for Ukraine's reform efforts, read about the corruption violations uncovered by NACP.